Joaquin Phoenix Stars In PETA Dog-Leather Expose

By Natalie Stone

Joaquin Phoenix stars in an unnamed PETA project that exposes the Chinese dog-leather industry, the animal activist organisation announced on Thursday.

The ‘Her’ star and vegan — who refuses to wear clothes made from animal fur, skin or wool — will narrate the expose.

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"The footage that you’re about to watch of China’s dog-leather trade is one of the worst things I’ve ever seen," Phoenix says in the film.

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Still unnamed, the film exposes how dogs are treated in China before they are skinned for leather — behaviour that includes kicking, beating them over the head and slitting their throats.

A PETA Asia investigator captured the footage at a Chinese facility that skins 100 to 200 dogs daily.

Dog skin is exported globally and commonly used for gloves, coat trim and small goods, PETA says.

"If you buy leather gloves, belts or shoes," says Phoenix, "remember there’s no easy way to tell whose skin you’re really in. If you love dogs like I do, then please never buy or wear leather, whether it comes from a dog, a cow or any other animal."

Olivia Munn, Charlize Theron, Eva Mendes, Penelope Cruz and Dave Navarro are among the celebrities who have partnered with PETA to promote animal kindness.

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