Lily Allen has issued a clarification as to why she and her family had to return their pet dog Mary to the animal shelter after adopting her in 2021.
Speaking on her BBC podcast 'Miss Me?' earlier this month, the singer told her co-star Steve Jones that she'd adopted Mary but "took her back to the home" after the pooch "ate all three of our passports".
Allen then complained: "They had our visas in and I cannot tell you how much money it cost me to get everything replaced, because it was in Covid and so it was just an absolute logistical nightmare."
The 39-year-old went on to say the "f***ing dog" stopped her children from seeing their father in the UK and claimed that the incident led to her thinking the dog had "ruined my life".
After Allen's quotes made national news in the UK, the singer took to X, formerly Twitter, to try and provide more context - and raged at animal welfare charity PETA for adding to the public criticism she's faced.
Allen began: "'We tried very hard and for a very long time but the passports were the straw that broke the camels back'. This is the part of the podcast that the tabloids decided not to quote in their articles about me 'dumping my puppy'.
"People have been furiously reacting to a deliberately distorted cobbling together of quotes designed to make people angry and as a result, I've received some really abhorrent messages including death threats, some of the most disgusting comments have been all over my social media channels, and i'm really not surprised because this is exactly what those articles are designed to do.
"I'm ok but it has been a really tough few days that has impacted me and my family. We rescued our puppy Mary from a shelter in NY and we loved her very much, BUT she developed pretty severe separation anxiety and would act out in all manner of ways.
"She couldn't be left alone for more than 10 mins, she had 3 long walks a day 2 by us and 1 with a local dog walker and several other dogs, we worked with the shelter that we rescued her from and they referred us to a behavioral specialist and a professional trainer, it was a volunteer from the shelter who would come and dog sit her when we were away, and after many months and much deliberation everyone was in agreement that our home wasn't the best fit for Mary.
"The person that she was rehomed with was known to us and that rehoming happened within 24 hours of her being returned. We couldn't meet Mary's needs and her happiness and welfare were central to us making that decision, as difficult as it was."
Singer Lily Allen adopted the pooch back in 2021
PA
Allen defended herself further by claiming: "I've had rescue dogs pretty consistently throughout my life since I was 4 years old, I'm pretty good at ascertaining a dogs needs, I have never been accused of mistreating an animal, and I've found this whole week very distressing."
She then urged those criticising her to do their "due diligence" and not believe the articles about the incident that have been published by several news outlets in the UK.
Allen branded the headlines as "distortion" before signing off her post by attacking animal charity PETA: "Also thank you to @peta for adding fuel to the fire. Very responsible of you."
PETA has responded to Allen's furious statement, however, doubling down on its stance in which it said it was "appalled" by her comments. It said on X: "YOU laughed when speaking about abandoning Mary and ruined this poor dog’s life. She thought she had a loving forever home before you tossed her out, calling her 'that f******* dog' who 'ruined my life.' Shame on you. You don’t deserve even the toy dog we sent you."
This sparked a war of words with Allen who didn't stop targeting the animal charity as she replied again: "People laugh when they talk about painful things all the time, it’s quite normal. I’ve clarified that we didn’t abandon her and that she was rehomed with people we knew almost immediately.
"Why are you perpetuating lies? What kind of animal welfare charity tries to shame someone for wanting to improve the welfare of an animal. Your post is dangerous." (sic)
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People laugh when they talk about painful things all the time, it’s quite normal. I’ve clarified that we didn’t abandon her and that she was rehomed with people we knew almost immediately. Why are you perpetuating lies ? What kind of animal welfare charity tries to shame someone… https://t.co/SLORFjFauN
— Lily Allen (@lilyallen) August 26, 2024
Allen's initial attack on PETA came after the charity penned an open letter condemning the singer's podcast remarks about giving the puppy back.
The charity said: "We were appalled when we heard you say that you returned your adopted dog, Mary, to the shelter because she chewed your family’s passports.
"While you could get new passports and rebook your flights, Mary may spend many months in the shelter waiting for a new family – if she’s lucky enough to find one at all.
“Anyone who knows and loves dogs understands that it’s likely a dog will, at some point, chew up something in the home. Dogs often explore the world by putting things in their mouths – it’s natural! Couldn’t you have put your important documents in a drawer?
“Dogs should never be treated as accessories to be discarded when they become inconvenient. They are loyal companions who deserve the same unwavering love and commitment they offer us.
"It’s for this reason that we beg you, please, not to get another dog. Instead, we’re sending you a mechanical toy puppy, which requires none of the care, patience, or commitment that a real one does. It really is the only animal you should bring into your home."