Warning: This article contains graphic content.
Heartbreaking and disturbing footage of animals being bludgeoned to death on fur farms has been shared by Humane Society International today.
A series of images - as well as video footage - shows the true extent of the horrific suffering thousands of foxes and racoon dogs are forced to endure on farms in Asia.
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Please note, this video contains extremely graphic content.
Described by wildlife presenter and campaigner Chris Packham as "like a scene from hell" foxes on the farm are repeatedly bludgeoned over the head, causing horrendous injury, cut with knives and even skinned alive.
Investigations for the Humane Society International obtained the footage at 11 random fur farms in Asia, which export fur to the UK.
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The charity has chosen not to reveal which country in Asia the footage was made, in order to protect the identity of the investigators, but says that although the UK banned fur farming nearly 20 years ago, it still allows imports from farms overseas in countries such as Finland, Italy, Poland, and in Asia from mainland China, Hong Kong, India and Thailand.
In 2018 alone, imports to the UK totalled £70.4 million. While most British retailers are now fur free, clothes, shoes and accessories using fur from these countries can still be found on the high-street and available for purchase online.
Humane Society International is calling for the government to put an end to what they are calling a "double standard of allowing the sale of fur the UK deems too cruel to farm here".
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The investigation revealed the extent of the sickening cruelty. It found that not only are the animals being kept in miserable conditions, the cages are so tiny they can barely move.
There's no bedding, instead they spend their lives living on wire mesh, with filthy and empty water bowls, no veterinarian present and animals exhibiting behaviour typical of mental decline.
Foxes are beaten repeatedly with a metal bar, causing extreme pain but not instant death. Meanwhile, the animals were found to be beaten, killed and skinned in full view of others, some while still alive and moving.
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Claire Bass, executive director of Humane Society International UK said: "Behind the PR spin of the fur trade, this is the hideous, heartless reality they don't want you to see.
"Raccoon dogs driven mad with boredom in their pitifully small wire cages, foxes repeatedly smashed over the head with a metal bar in front of their terrified cage mates, animals skinned alive so that the fur trade can sell consumers the lie of luxury. I am sickened and heartbroken by what our investigators witnessed on these cruel fur farms, but not surprised.
"Every designer putting fur on the catwalk, every retailer putting fur on its shop shelves, and every consumer putting fur in their wardrobe, is helping to pay for this shameful misery.
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"It needs to stop, and the UK is now in a unique position to take action by banning fur sales. This - and every - investigation into the fur trade shows that fur is not glamorous, it's grotesque, it's cruelty not couture, and it's time for the UK to stop trading in such horrors.
"In taking control of our markets and laws post-Brexit the government will have the power - and the moral duty - to send a clear message that the UK will no longer tolerate the cruel fur trade. Cross party support for a UK ban on fur sales is already strong, and we now need a sign that the government will act."
For more information, or to donate to Humane Society International, visit their website here.
Featured Image Credit: Humane Society International
Topics: News, Animal Welfare, Animals