Alarmed fans have slammed Katie Price after it was revealed her daughter Princess cares for a pet hedgehog.
Former glamour model Katie shared a short clip of the small creature, named Peggy, being handled on Instagram earlier this afternoon.
And while many of her near 2 million followers on the social media platform were delighted by the ‘cute’ sight, others were quick to accuse Katie of not having the animal’s welfare in mind.
Although it is perfectly legal to own certain breeds of hedgehog in the UK, some commenters felt it was not appropriate for them to be kept as domestic pets.
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Worries the hedgehog could be in danger from attack from other animals in the household were expressed by fans.
“They shouldn’t be pets,” declared one person in the post’s comments section.
“It is not a fashion item you can brag about having to your friends,” complained another. “It is not a pet, it should be in the wild.”
A third person agreed that hedgehogs should not be domesticated. “They should be left to what nature had intended for them,” they asserted.
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The RSPCA advises hedgehogs are not suitable as pets and that people thinking about owning one anyway should give consideration as to whether they can properly provide for one.
Among concerns hedgehogs carry fleas and salmonella, it was also claimed Peggy should be left alone during the day as her species is nocturnal.
However, there was even more outrage that she could fall prey to another member of Katie’s personal menagerie.
“Don’t let that dog near it,” warned one follower. “My dog is a [bleep] for a hedgehog she attacks them.”
Another agreed: “Sincerely hope there’s a quick escape route from the family dogs! Hedgehogs have more chance in the wild!”
A third person echoed both thoughts, and reminded Katie that Peggy could also cause harm to any animal that might go for her.”
“Watch that hedgehog with the puppy, otherwise costly vet bills for the dog,” they said.
Animal lover Katie is known for being a keen equestrian – but this isn’t the first time the way she handles her pets has been slated.
She reportedly attempted to sell some of her cats for £1300 over Instagram in 2017 after claiming her dogs hadn’t taken to them.
Fans, however, are said to have claimed she had tried to get rid because Katie was “bored” of the moggies.
And last year it was reported the mum-of-five had been forced to flog a host of her family’s other animal pals – including llamas, goats, pigs, sheep and horses – to raise cash.
Ex Peter Andre was said to have stepped in to save her cats – and Peggy – from sale because they belong to his kids Junior and Princess.
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