Raccoon dog hair from tortured animals are being sold as fake fur at Melbourne markets

Hair from tortured Chinese dogs and raccoons is being sold as fake fur at trendy Melbourne markets

  • Twelve items were sent for testing at Forensic Science and Wildlife Matters
  • The items were taken from South Melbourne and Queen Victoria markets 
  • Some items were found to have had raccoon or raccoon dog fur in them

Fur from tortured animals is being passed off as faux fur or ‘rabbit blend’ and sold at two popular market places.

Forensic testing showed fur from raccoons and raccoon dogs, which are electrocuted to death or skinned alive in the China fur trade, were being sold at South Melbourne Market and Queen Victoria Market, according to The Age.

The Animal Justice Party and Four Paws collected 12 items from the markets and sent them for testing at Forensic Science and Wildlife Matters. 

Forensic testing showed fur from raccoons and raccoon dogs, which are electrocuted to death or skinned alive in the China fur trade, being sold at Melbourne markets (stock)

At Queen Victoria market a stallholder had a fur-trimmed jacket described as faux fur but testing showed similar results to the beanies at South Melbourne. General shot of the market pictured

At Queen Victoria market a stallholder had a fur-trimmed jacket described as faux fur but testing showed similar results to the beanies at South Melbourne. General shot of the market pictured

A stall at South Melbourne Market was selling beanies with labels reading ‘rabbit blend’ but testing showed ‘hairs in this item indicated that they consistent with raccoon (Procyon lotor) or raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides).’

At Queen Victoria market a stallholder had a fur-trimmed jacket described as faux fur but testing showed similar results to the beanies at South Melbourne.

The stallholder said he didn’t mislabel the jacket and it did have fake fur. He added he buys his items from a wholesaler and doesn’t change the labels. 

Stan Liacos, Chief Executive Officer at the Queen Victoria Market, told Daily Mail Australia: ‘All traders at the Queen Victoria Market are required to comply with Market rules and all relevant legislation and guidelines relating to consumer law. 

‘We certainly do not condone the sale of any goods that do not comply with animal cruelty regulations and we have referred the matter to the relevant authorities for further investigation.’   

Danielle Bleazby, South Melbourne Market Executive Manager, said: ‘South Melbourne Market were unaware of any uncertified fur products being sold at the Market, or of any product mislabelling, and will be investigating. 

‘While fur products are not banned at South Melbourne Market, stallholders are required to provide certification that genuine fur items they stock are sourced ethically as a by-product of another industry e.g. meat production industry. 

‘A recent audit in May 2019 established that all genuine fur products being sold at the Market had the required certification.’ 

A stall at South Melbourne Market was selling beanies with labels reading 'rabbit blend' but testing showed 'hairs in this item indicated that they consistent with raccoon (Procyon lotor) or raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)'. General shot of the market pictured

A stall at South Melbourne Market was selling beanies with labels reading ‘rabbit blend’ but testing showed ‘hairs in this item indicated that they consistent with raccoon (Procyon lotor) or raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)’. General shot of the market pictured

The law makes it illegal for businesses to mislead or falsely represent their products – a business owner can be fined up to $500,000 and a company up to $10million.

Customers and politicians have been left outraged by the revelation. 

‘If true, these reports are horrifying. Nobody should profit from the barbaric illegal fur trade. The Andrews government must explain if this trade has occurred in any of Victoria’s markets and, if so, how it will be shut down immediately,’ Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted South Melbourne Market for comment. 

    

 

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