The sporting goods manufacturer Adidas is defending itself against accusations by animal rights activists that kangaroos are “cruelly murdered” for the production of football boots. The proportion of kangaroo leather used in the production of football boots is now well below 0.5%, said an Adidas spokesman. “We source the leather exclusively from suppliers that are monitored and certified by the Australian government to ensure both animal welfare and species protection,” he emphasized. Animal rights activists have called for a demonstration in front of the Adidas headquarters in the Bavarian ci…