PHOTOS: CARLEY STENSON POSES WITH 'DEAD FOX' OUTSIDE HARVEY NICHOLS

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Actor Wants Store to Bring Back Its Fur-Free Policy

Photos are available here, here and here.

Manchester– Holding the corpse of a "dead fox" and a sign that reads, "Harvey Nichols: Here's The Rest of That Fur Coat", actress Carley Stenson posed outside the department store today to protest the company's decision to abandon their decade-long fur-free policy.

"I was shocked to learn that Harvey Nichols has started supporting this violent industry and felt compelled to speak out", says Stenson. "I hope the event hits home the point that all fur is the product of a bloody, violent industry and takes away life."

Harvey Nichols hide behind a marketing ploy called "Origin Assured", which was created by the fur industry itself following years of plummeting sales. Fur coming from farms in 29 countries can potentially be labelled "Origin Assured" simply because these countries have environmental standards, animal-welfare laws or best practice guidelines on the books – but whether or not these regulations are enforced isn't taken into consideration. A recent PETA exposé narrated by Paloma Faith reveals the tremendous suffering of animals whose fur bears this label. It shows that on fur farms in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and other so-called "Origin Assured" countries, animals such as foxes, rabbits and minks are kept in filthy wire cages – sometimes alongside the rotting corpses of other animals – and are left to suffer from untreated injuries, including missing limbs. Frightened and distressed, they often mutilate themselves and others in the cage. These animals are then slaughtered – just so that their skin can be made into clothing.

Stenson is currently in Manchester performing in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Opera House.

For more information visit PETA.org.uk.