North-east retailers are facing an angry backlash after it emerged some outlets are selling real fur products, including fox, raccoon and rabbit trimmings.
One shop owner in Aberdeen spoke of receiving threats and revealed she feels intimidated by the actions of campaigners.
Escale France shop owner, Karine Franck, told the Press and Journal: “The online campaign was called ‘Say no fur Escale France’ so it was really targeted towards me.
“One man stood outside and ran his finger across his throat, whilst mouthing murderer. He was shouting at my customers when they exited the shop.
“I work here on my own every day. They have got more and more aggressive. I feel really scared and vulnerable. They can protest; it is their right, but where is the limit when they bully me? This is harassment.”
However, one of the campaigners, Suz Reid, the co-leader of Say No Fur to Aberdeen Fashion, said she only re-started protesting recently after noticing an increase in fur products on sale.
She added: “We’ve been called ‘bunny huggers’ and we get a lot of response about why we get so upset about fur, but my biggest issue is where is it coming from. We banned it in this country for a good reason.
“We have a very strict policy. We don’t tolerate anything relating to threatening behaviour or intimidation. But I can’t speak for individuals.”
Ms Reid is also targeting another store in Aberdeenshire, which deals in fur products.
She said: “The latest shop we have seen selling it is Inverurie Garden Centre and we have been emailing them and messaging them.
“They are quite happily advertising it as real fur, but customers have been complaining about it online and are disgusted by it.”
One customer at the garden centre, Elaine Bryan, 42 from Inverurie commented: “I think the online abuse the shop has been getting is shocking – it’s more terrible than using fur.
“They shouldn’t be trying to force their opinions on people, it is verging on hysteria. But it’s a very emotive subject.”
The management at Inverurie Garden Centre declined to comment yesterday.
