SALINAS – The owner of Augustina’s Designer Boutique and Austina Leathers in Carmel has been unlawfully selling new fur products and must pay $150,000 in civil penalties, according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s office.
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The investigation began after a consumer complaint was filed with the California Department of Fish and Wild. The District Attorney’s Environmental Protection Unit found that Tracy Odle, the owner of Augustina’s Designer Boutique and Austina Leathers, was selling new fur products in violation of California’s Fish and Game Code.
The law was enacted in response to concerns about animal cruelty within the fur industry. It took effect Jan. 1, 2023 and prohibits the sale of new fur products in the state. The law has specific exemptions, such as items used for religious purposes and for traditional Native American tribal or cultural purposes.
The District Attorney press release stated that despite actual knowledge of the ban, Odle continued to advertise and profit off of sales of new fur products, including coats and hats made of fox, mink, sable and beaver fur. The products were available in-store at the Carmel boutique and through the website.