Katie Price has been embroiled in another pet controversy after Lee Andrews' ex-wife claimed the couple abandoned their new dog. Weeks after Lee was released from prison in Dubai, the couple purchased a £2,000 male Pomsky—a cross between a Pomeranian and a Husky. The acquisition sparked outrage given Price's contentious history with animals, including a missing cat at the time.
Rescue and Claims of Abandonment
Dina Taji, one of Lee Andrews' ex-wives, alleged the Pomsky was left abandoned and ended up at her cat rescue shelter in Dubai. She posted a picture of the puppy on the Dubai Street Kitties Instagram account, stating: 'Had to pick this dog up and keep him safe.' Taji claimed the dog had been left with a pet-sitter after reports that Lee was re-arrested a month after his release from Al Awir prison.
In a video, Taji said she needed to 'save this dog now this person [the owner] is in jail.' She added that people had messaged her requesting she send the dog to the UK—presumably for Price, who is reportedly trying to reunite with the puppy. Taji explained: 'I'm always gonna do what's best for the animal and the person who wants me to send the dog to the UK I don't know them. So, all of this information I'm starting to receive, I need to investigate it. I need to understand what is going on. We need to make sure that these are reliable people that are not going to neglect, abuse, or abandon the pet.'
Price's Troubled History with Pets
Price's pet ownership has long been controversial. Peta has offered her £5,000 to stop adopting animals. Peta UK's Senior Vice President Mimi Bekhechi previously stated: 'Is there no low to which Katie Price will not stoop?' She accused Price of swapping pets 'as easily as one replaces a pair of socks,' noting that at least seven of her animals are known to have died. 'How many animals have been lost, discarded, or have died under her so-called “care” before authorities ban her from keeping animals?' Bekhechi added. 'Peta's £5,000 offer for her to stop collecting animals still stands, and we implore her to take us up on it – for the sake of Doris [the Sphinx], this puppy, and any other animals unfortunate enough to cross her path.'
Legal and Personal Turmoil
Dina Taji and Katie Price reportedly met for a 'woman-to-woman' chat when Lee was imprisoned, having previously taken legal action against him. The businessman was reportedly issued a travel ban over a legal dispute, which came after Lee allegedly took out a £200,000 mortgage in Taji's name. Lee was re-arrested last week, a month after being freed from Al Awir, with his father Peter also imprisoned in the same facility. A source told The Sun: 'Both Lee and his dad are now behind bars, in the same prison. Lee maintains his innocence and is hoping to pay off his outstanding debts and get out of that hellhole as quickly as possible. He is trying to raise the collateral to get him out of the country, and return to the UK where he hopes to start his life afresh. Whether poor Katie will be there to greet him on the other side remains to be seen. Right now she is furious with it all, and fed up with all the drama and white noise her husband is bringing. Friends are urging her to leave him.'
Price is currently in the UK, having launched her docuseries on Sky, and continues to defend her marriage despite admitting doubts. She is believed to own seven cats after Lee claimed one of her Sphinxes had died, while Price said one had gone missing.
