GREENWICH: World's 'first shop' causes an outcry over animal rights

HARMLESS ornamental pets modelled on famous ships' cats have caused fury among animal rights activists.

Maritime specialist Nauticalia in Greenwich, "the first shop in the world", has been inundated with requests for its best-selling line.

But Action for Animals was hopping mad when they found out the lifelike moggies are covered in real rabbit fur.

About half a dozen campaigners, branded "extremists", burst into the Nelson Road store, shouting at staff and customers.

Shop manager Mourad Benotmany said: "We had no warning they were coming. The shop was quite busy and they were very noisy."

"It was more of an inconvenience and our customers said they didn't agree with them."

Managing director Lynn Lewis promises the company will not be withdrawing the range of three cats.

He fumed: "They made some wild and ridiculous allegations that rabbits are being killed for the toy trade but we have checked very carefully that no cruelty is involved.

"We're not going to be bullied by people making unsubstantiated claims.

"Many hospitals and nursing homes buy them for their patients because they find the models extremely soothing."

The £25 cats come complete with a mini-biography. One is based on Shackleton's feline friend, Mrs Chippy, which followed him to the Antarctic on the Endurance.

Nauticalia says the rabbits used are farmed in northern China for food and the fur is only sold as a by-product.

Action for Animals, which has its registered office in Malaga, Spain, failed to respond to our requests for an interview but campaigner Pauline Dibley, of Animal Defenders, says using rabbit fur could encourage use of other animals.

She added: "In China, it is common practice to skin rabbits alive because it means it is as fresh as possible. Quite why anyone would want one, I don't know. If they are therapeutic, surely they could use fake fur, or buy a teddy bear."

December 3, 2001 11:13

Richard Simcox