Leather World-A Brutal Reality
Leather is the skin of animals, prepared for use by tanning or a similar process designed to prepare it against decay. Leather is obtained from the skin of animals like cows, goats, sheep, pigs, ostrich, elephants,dogs, cats, horses,kangaroos, fishes and reptiles like snake. It is used in the manufacture of bags, belts, purses, shoes, jackets, wallets, furniture etc.
Most of the leather comes from developing countries such as India and China. Cow is the biggest source of leather. Though in India cow is considered as holy animal and is given the status of mother, the truth is that India’s treatment of cows is among the cruelest in the world. Some people are under the impression that leather is obtained from animals already killed by natural death. But that is not true. In India since it is illegal to kill healthy and young cattle so they deliberately poison them so that they can be declared fit for slaughter.Cows from which leather is peeled off are subjected to gruesome torture. They are drugged to put on weight.Sometimes their throat are slit and skin is pulled out even when they are still alive. Sometimes unborn calves or premature calves are also used for obtaining their skin.
Leather processing is a complicated process involving tanning, dyeing and finishing. Each step involves use of chemicals that are very harmful for the environment. So we are not only killing animals but also polluting our environment.
Leather is not a waste product but a money making business. We love leather jackets, purses or wallets. Its not that leather doesn’t have alternatives. Paper bags, cork, recycled rubber, pinatex ,pleather, waxed cotton,canvas or textiles are few alternatives to leather. Its upto you what you choose. Animals are not fabric to wear. They have life and have emotions like human beings. They feel pain.Imagine your skin being peeled off, imagine yourself bleeding heavily, Imagine yourself being beaten up by rods to death. Only the thought of it is so distressing. So be kind to animals by not eating them and by boycotting leather.
Animal skin doesn’t add life to your style,
Boycott leather and switch to textile.
