West Hollywood bans sale of fur clothing

(CBS/KCAL/AP) WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - It's long been one of the furriest fashion centers in the world - but not anymore.

The West Hollywood City Council is banning the sale of clothing made of animal fur; it's believed to be the first such ban in the U.S. 

CBS Los Angeles reports that the vote on Monday was the final step in prohibiting the sale of clothing made from the skins of pelts of animals with hair, fur, or wool, within city limits.

NBC LA reports the council, in a 3-1 vote, adopted the law that goes into effect in Sept. 2013.

Shannon Keith, animal rights attorney and co-organizer of Fur Free West Hollywood, told a local radio station that it's the right move.

"Animals suffer immensely for the use of fur," she said. "Animals are skinned alive, they're beaten, they're stomped on, they're gassed...it's a horrible thing all in the name of vanity."

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), praised West Hollywood, calling it "just the latest compassionate action for the city."

Councilman John D'Amico first introduced the ban in May, and afterwards the Fur Information Council of America released a study showing that out of 209 clothing stores in the city, 91 of them carried clothing or accessories made with animal fur.

The board of the "Avenues: Art, Fashion and Design District" claims the ban will limit the city's reputation for creative expression in high fashion. The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce opposed the ban as well.

Keith Kaplan of the Fur Information Council said the fur ban will cause a significant loss of revenue to the city. "It's a significant loss of image as a fashion destination to the city," he said.

City leaders and local businesses will write the official guidelines for the ban.