Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Group says "fake" fur on coat at Macy's is real

An animal rights group on Friday accused Macy's of selling a coat with a real animal fur collar even though it was advertised as fake fur.

The Humane Society of the United States said a $237.99 Sean John Hooded Snorkel Jacket for sale on Macy's Web site was described as having an "imitation rabbit fur collar."

But the group said when it purchased the coat, the label read "Made in China" and "genuine raccoon fur." The group said it is testing the fur to see if it is from a raccoon dog, a type of dog raised in China whose fur resembles that of a raccoon.

In an e-mail statement sent to Reuters, Macy's parent Federated Department Stores Inc. said the retailer has a policy against selling dog or cat fur, and any "inappropriate or inaccurately" labeled products would be removed from its stores and Web site.

"The information brought to our attention today by the Humane Society of the United States will be promptly investigated and appropriate action will be taken," Federated said in the statement.

The accusations against Macy's come after the Humane Society earlier this week said Burlington Coat Factory was using real fur on jackets that it advertised as having fake fur.

The society said Burlington Coat Factory has since agreed to pull the ads from its stores and offered refunds to any consumers who may have inadvertently purchased the real fur garments.

The Humane Society has asked Macy's to stop selling garments trimmed with fur.

Copyright © 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

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