People News

Dita Von Teese - furry and proud

Oct 2, 2007, 7:00 GMT

09/24/2007 - Dita Von Teese - Dita Von Teese Photocall for Peta - Peta Offices - Los Angeles © Jason LaVeris / PR Photos

Dita Von Teese has refused to stop wearing fur despite working with PETA.

The burlesque dancer, who posed as a scantily-clad teacher for PETA's new Animal Birth Control (ABC) campaign, revealed working with the animals rights group hasn't diminished her love of vintage fur.

Dita, who wore fox fur when she performed at the Macy's Passport AIDS benefit last week, told People magazine: "PETA is totally aware of me wearing fur. I'm not working with PETA to tell people to be vegetarians or to stop wearing fur. I am there to strictly speak about spaying and neutering your pets."

The animal rights group insists they were aware of Dita's stance on fur before they asked her to appear in their adverts.

Spokesman Michael McGraw explained: "Dita said she has some vintage furs she wears occasionally. PETA often works with a celebrity on an issue they feel comfortable supporting, whether it's supporting spaying and neutering, or speaking out against products that are tested on animals. So they may not be an animal rights activist, but their contribution to any of our campaigns is appreciated."

PETA hasn't asked Dita to stop wearing fur yet, but could "possibly" discuss the subject in the future.

McGraw added:  "We're happy to have her support on the issue of spaying and neutering. We will see where it goes."

In the PETA adverts, Dita - real name Heather Sweet - is pictured standing in front of a blackboard in a pink and black corset, fish-net stockings and black stilettos as a seated older man gazes up at her entranced.

In a video accompanying the advert on PETA's website she says: "Every year, nearly four million dogs and cats are put to death in the US because there are not enough good homes for them.

"You have to be responsible not just for your pet but for any animals your pet will produce, so I've always spayed and neutered my pets."

Dita has four Devon Rex cats called Lily, Aleister, Edgar and Hermann, and two dachshunds, Greta and Eva.

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