Paris Hilton has been criticised by animal rights group PETA for buying a new chihuahua puppy - which is related to her beloved dog who died earlier this year.
The US media personality revealed the newest addition to the “Hilton pets family” in an Instagram post this week – two months on from her heartbreak at the death of long-time companion Harajuku B****, who was 23 years old.
She uploaded a short video of her new dog, which she is yet to name, for her 24.1 million followers on the social network.
Hilton added in a caption: “Absolutely in love with my new puppy! He is so adorable and sweet!
“So special that he’s actually related to my angel Harajuku B**** who passed earlier this year. It’s like having a little piece of her still here with me.”
It comes after the socialite and businesswoman described her “immense pain” at the loss of Harajuku B**** – named after a district of Tokyo known for its colourful fashion – back in May.
But PETA criticised the star for “publicising her problematic purchase on social media” and said Ms Hilton should have adopted a homeless animal instead – rather than buying the pooch from a breeder.
“The star has apparently been living under a rock if she thinks that buying animals is a compassionate thing to do – a visit to an animal shelter would have shown her just how many Chihuahuas need homes – and five minutes on Petfinder would turn up thousands more, including puppies,” it said in a statement.
“PETA knows that retail therapy is what Paris Hilton loves best, but we’re asking her to keep the shopping to baubles and bags.”
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It has now promised to put up a series of “head-turning” advertisements in Los Angeles in response to her “speciesist splurge”.
Earlier this year Hilton revealed the arrival of her baby son Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum, who was born via surrogacy.
The 42-year-old, famed for her business ventures and her reality shows such as The Simple Life, also recently spoke to Sky News about her experiences attending so-called “troubled teen” boarding schools and her campaign against alleged abuse at the facilities.