Pet fur used in toys

Australians may be buying soft toys and clothes made with the fur of domestic dogs and cats , supporting  a cruel global trade involving the slaughter of companion animals.

The Humane Society International has launched an investigation into the sale of these items in Australia and will target Sydneys Chinatown and Melbournes winter fur markets

It claims more than two million cats and dogs are slaughtered each year as part of the trade,

but the industry continues to thrive unchecked.

' Our eventual aim is to ban the importation of these goods ," a spokeswoman of the society in Sydney, Vera Simpson said.

AAP 9/2/1990

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The Telegraph Mirror

Sydney N.S.W    3/3/1995

Professional thieves

nab pets from homes

By Steve Gee

Professional thieves are luring dogs and cats from pet ownwers homes to sell the animals in public markets interstate and overseas, it was revealed today.

In Sydney alone the gangs have already stolen at least 165 family pets this year in large scale raids on suburbs across the metropolitan area according to figures released by national animal protection group, Petwatch.

Petwatch spokesman Garry said today the thieves were generally indiscriminate , stealing any breed of dog or cat available.

He said younger pets were being smuggled interstate for sale at public markets , while older animals  were being targeted for Asian food markets , the European fur and pelt trade and dog fighting rings.

Garry said some gangs were also targeting expensive pets and holding them for ransom until large rewards were posted .

" It's becoming big business for some people becausce the potential

earnings are enormous' Garry said today.

"These people have no scruples whatsoever"

" They know they can sell most of the animals reasonably quickly and those that they can't are simply dumped in bushland and left to die."

Petwatch records for 1995 show at least 84 dogs and 81 cats have been stolen from owners homes and cars.

Canley vale has been the worst hit suburb with 19 thefts followed by  Hurstville (16) , Sutherland (15) , Seven Hills (14) Rockdale (11) and Ryde (10).

The single largest raid occured at Redfern on Feburary 13 when seven dogs were stolen within four hours.

Many of the animals are being are  being stolen from owners yards and unlocked cars at shopping centres.

But experts claim the better organised theives are using bitches on heat to lure dogs from yards.

Similar tactics are being used to steal cats  in large numbers with thieves dragging kidney scraps along footpaths to entice them into waiting vehicles.

Garry Senior Duty Officer said the majority of thefts occurred late at night or during the early hours of the morning

Pussies win reprieve

A Last minute appeal from Peruvian animal lovers yesterday persuaded authorities to cancel a festival of cat cookery intended to celebrate a local saints day.

Organisers announced with regret the 'Great Gastronomic Kitty Festival " scheduled for today in the town of Canete had been cancelled at the insistence of animal rights groups.

'We ahve saved the cats lives. The cat is not an animal for domestic consumption " spokesman Rosario Quinitanilla said. .Publicity ahead of the annual celebration showed locals purusing the cats , which are prized as a delicacy."The street cats are the best ," said one resident , " they have more flavour "

Sunday Telegraph 21/9/1997