New York bans grisly electrocution of animals for fur

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York is the first state to ban electrocuting animals in a particularly gruesome way to harvest their fur for clothing.

National animal rights advocates say it's a critical move in their effort to ban the global practice. While still governor, Eliot Spitzer signed the measure into law in March and it's now effective.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says the law bans the common practice of anal and genital electrocution of mink, foxes, chinchillas and rabbits. They hope it will force similar measures in other states.

PETA's Melissa Karpel says the practice is widespread because it's cheap.