Trapping accounts for an estimated 5 million animals worldwide, normally by means of steel-jawed leg hold traps which are now illegal in Britain. Those purchasing leather products may try to reassure themselves that the animal it came from had already died for meat so it matters little that they 'use up' the remaining skin for a pair of shoes or a jacket. However, it does matter because by doing this they will be helping to subsidise the meat industry. Purchasing leather ensures the continuity of a massive industry based on animal suffering. Not only leather, but every last part of the animal is sold in order to make the whole bloody business possible.
Blood is made into fertilizer or used to fill out pet food.
Hair is removed to make paint brushes. The leather industry try to brainwash the public into believing that their product is bio-degradable and a really positive purchase if you care about the environment. However, what the leather industry fail to mention is that in its natural state leather would never be used for shoes, boots, bags or anything else for that matter. Because in its 'natural' state it would rot extremely rapidly. At the end of the day those leather shoes wouldn't last very long at all in their 'natural' state.