PETA Australia is congratulating Auckland's oldest department store Smith & Caughey's on its ban of alpaca wool products following a PETA investigation.
Investigating large, privately-owned alpaca farm Mallkini in Peru, PETA said that, "workers slammed the alpacas – some of whom were pregnant – onto tables, tied them to a medieval-looking restraining device, and pulled hard, nearly wrenching their legs out of their sockets.
"The quick, rough shearing left the animals cut up and bleeding from deep wounds, which were sewn up without adequate pain relief," the organisation alleges.
After viewing the footage from PETA's investigation, Smith & Caughey's has decided to remove all alpaca wool from its stores and enact a policy to prohibit its sale.
PETA Australia spokesperson Emily Rice said that other retailers should follow in the footsteps of Smith & Caughey's.
"We applaud Smith & Caughey's for its swift and compassionate decision to ban alpaca fibre from its stores.
"Very soon after viewing the footage of egregious cruelty towards these gentle animals, the department store responded with a policy against alpaca wool, an ethical and eco-friendly move that we hope will inspire others to follow suit," she said.
Smith & Caughey's joins a growing number of fashion retailers and labels around the world that have turned their back on wool, including Australian Fashion Labels, OneTeaspoon, H&M, Asos and Scotch & Soda.
Access the video of the investigation here.
Content warning: some viewers may find scenes in the video distressing.