A recent investigation conducted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) found that fur-lined jackets labeled as "faux" turned out to be made of raccoon dog and domestic dog fur.

The investigation was prompted after the HSUS found fur-lined jackets online that appeared to be real but were labeled "faux." After finding the jackets, the HSUS bought them and began testing to see if they were real furs, said Pierre Grzybowski, deputy manager of the Fur-Free Campaign.

The Fur-Free Campaign was created to inform consumers and expose cruelty and labeling problems in the fur industry, Grzybowski said.

An investigation by HSUS of 25 jackets found that 24 were "falsely advertised, falsely labeled or not labeled at all," Grzybowski said.

Stores on the list include Macy's, Burlington Coat Factory, Rocawear.com, Tommy Hilfiger, Nordstrom's and Bluefly.com. A full list of corporations can be found at hsus.org.

Cristina Girgis (junior-journalism) said she wears faux fur but believes real fur is "more prestigious."

"I would be mad if it was dog fur, or cheap fur -- like skunk," she said.

In a press release, Macy's said it took action shortly after the issue was brought to its attention.

"Our company has a standing policy against the selling of any dog or cat fur ... Any inappropriate or inaccurately labeled product is removed from our stores and online sites, as we have done in this case," the statement said.

Representatives from Burlington Coat Factory, Rocawear.com, Tommy Hilfiger, Nordstrom's and Bluefly.com were not available for comment.

Clothing manufacturers are using a loophole in the current labeling laws, Grzybowski said. The law states that jackets with real fur valued at $150 or less are not required to label their products, he added.

"If you buy a jacket with fur trim made in China, there is a very good chance that that jacket contains raccoon dog fur, or even dog fur from animals that may have been skinned alive," Grzybowski said.

In response to this issue, the HSUS has introduced a bill to Congress, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act.

"We're urging people to contact federal representatives to co-sponsor and support the new bill," Grzybowski said.

The bill, if passed, would make it illegal to import, export, sell or advertise any domestic dog fur in the U.S. This law would also outlaw the importation of fur from raccoon dogs and require all garments with fur trim to be labeled, regardless of the value. The group also hopes to raise awareness among consumers.

After the HSUS unveiled their findings, several designers said they support the proposed bill.

In a statement regarding the issue, Tina Knowles of House of Dereon, a clothing line created by her daughter, Beyonce Knowles, said, "We don't want to have to guess about the types of products we are using and consumers shouldn't have to guess either. All garments should be properly labeled."

This comment came after the company learned that a jacket in the Dereon line contained raccoon fur, according to the statement.

"We were surprised to learn that we could have little assurance in what type of fur we purchased," Knowles said in the statement.

Carly Proper (sophomore-psychology), who also wears faux fur, said she wouldn't really mind because, "I don't really like animals that much."

Kyle Horst (sophomore-architectural engineering) said he doesn't wear faux fur because it isn't a "guy-thing."

However, Horst added if he did wear faux fur and discovered it was real, "I would be upset that I was lied to, not because [the fur] was real."