Katie Price has defended herself against criticism regarding her history of pet ownership after animal rights charity PETA 

(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) offered her £5,000 to stop keeping animals. 

The 46-year-old former glamour model, who recently welcomed a 10-week-old cocker spaniel named Rookie into her home, 

insists she is a devoted animal lover despite the backlash she has received.

Katie Price Responds to Backlash Over Pet Deaths

Over the years, Katie has owned numerous pets, but her ability to care for them has been questioned following a series of unfortunate incidents. 

Critics have pointed out that at least five dogs, a horse, and a chameleon have died while in her care, with many of the tragedies occurring in traffic accidents near her Sussex home.

Despite this, Katie believes these incidents were due to bad luck rather than neglect. Speaking to The Sun, she said, “When people say I shouldn’t have animals, it’s circumstances that were out of my hands. It’s no lack of me not looking after them or anything like that. I love animals, I love nurturing.”

To prevent further incidents, she has now secured the garden of her new home to ensure the safety of her pets.

PETA’s Open Letter and Financial Offer

The latest controversy surrounding Katie’s pet ownership was sparked by reports that she had given away her puppy, Tank, due to “losing interest.” In response, PETA penned an open letter to her in February 2024, urging her to stop keeping animals altogether.

PETA Vice President Elisa Allen stated in the letter, “While your intentions may be good, the ever-growing number of animals who have either died under your supervision or been given away is impossible to ignore, and people are rightly concerned.”

The letter continued, “Whatever you may offer as reasons for their suffering, relinquishment, or demise, the fact is that you are consistently harming these sensitive, sentient individuals, and I hope you agree that this is a solution.”

As an incentive, the organization offered Katie £5,000 if she signed a contract agreeing never to acquire another pet.

Katie’s Representative Calls Out PETA

Katie has not taken the criticism lightly. A representative speaking on her behalf told MailOnline that she had repeatedly asked PETA to have a direct conversation with her, rather than playing out the issue in the media.

The statement read, “Katie has asked PETA many times to have a conversation with her directly, but instead they continue to play the narrative out in the media.”

They also questioned the charity’s financial priorities, adding, “Isn’t it a waste of charity money, or have they got funds available to give out to celebrities, which should be going towards animals?”

Public Outcry and Calls for a Ban

PETA is not the only group criticizing Katie’s history with pets. After the death of her protection dog, Blade, in June 2023—just months after another of her dogs, Sharon, was killed on the same road—animal lovers launched a petition calling for her to be banned from owning pets. The petition has since gathered over 30,000 signatures.

PETA has been particularly vocal in its condemnation, previously stating that Katie has “blood on her hands” due to the high number of pet deaths under her supervision.

A Controversial History with Pets

Katie’s issues with pet ownership have been widely discussed in the media over the years. Several of her animals have died in tragic accidents, including multiple dogs that were struck by vehicles outside her home. Other pets have either gone missing or been given away.

Despite the scrutiny, Katie insists she is a dedicated pet owner who has simply faced unfortunate circumstances. She has also emphasized that she has taken steps to improve the safety of her animals, including securing her property to prevent further accidents.

Moving Forward Amid the Controversy

Despite the controversy, Katie has shown no signs of giving up pet ownership. With the arrival of Rookie, she continues to share glimpses of her life as a pet owner on social media.

Whether she will accept PETA’s financial offer or continue to fight back against criticism remains to be seen. For now, Katie remains firm in her stance that she is an animal lover who has been unfairly judged.

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