Stop the Import of Dog Leather Products into the U.S.!

The Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 prohibits the import of dog and cat fur products (including animal pelts) into the United States, and prescribes penalties for violators. This legislation was enacted after it was found that U.S. consumers unwittingly purchase goods made with dog and cat fur while believing the product is made of another material. These dog and cat fur products are purposely mislabeled in order to mislead the consumer.

A recent People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) investigation uncovered the large scale bludgeoning and slaughter of dogs in China whose skin is then used to make leather goods exported around the world. Since China exports more leather than any other country, we need to make sure America’s laws and values aren’t being violated with deceptively labeled leather goods.

It’s important to note that the only way to be sure of a leather or fur product’s true composition is by lab testing. Therefore, it makes it nearly impossible for Americans to truly know what they are buying in regards to these products, and makes current legislation regarding such imports hard to enforce.

Congressman Alcee Hastings, who represents the 20th congressional district of Florida, has written a formal letter to ask Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske what Customs and Border Protection is doing to ensure these dog leather products aren’t being exported to the U.S.. He has asked if it would be appropriate for CBP to implement random lab testing of Chinese leather imports to determine the animal of origin, and what can be done at the congressional level to stop this practice. A response is being waited upon.

Sign this petition to support Congressman Hastings’ letter to CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske and to urge CBP to conduct random lab tests on Chinese leather imports. We need to uphold the American tradition of respect for our companion animals, as well as our laws!