Millie Bobby Brown, the 22-year-old star of Stranger Things, has revealed that her pet goat named Eminem underwent neutering after getting “everyone pregnant.” The actress, who owns a farm in the United States, shared that the goat had become excessively randy, as reported by the Daily Star this week. However, this is not the only instance where a famous person's pet has caused a stir. Here, James Moore examines some notable celebrity pet escapades.
Princess Anne's Dog Dotty
In 2002, Princess Anne was fined £500 and ordered to pay £500 in compensation after pleading guilty to her bull terrier, Dotty, attacking two children. The dog escaped while the Princess was putting it back in her car after a walk in Windsor Great Park. It launched itself at two boys, aged 12 and seven, who were riding their bikes. The children suffered scratch marks and were said to be ‘traumatised.’
Salvador Dali's Ocelot Babou
The surrealist painter Salvador Dali took his beloved Colombian wild cat, Babou, everywhere. However, the ocelot proved to be a handful. The animal reportedly vomited in the lobby of Dali's favorite hotel in Paris and once urinated on valuable 17th-century artworks. Dali also kept a pet anteater for good measure.
Paris Hilton's Kinkajou Baby Luv
Paris Hilton, known for her love of miniature dogs, once owned a kinkajou, a nocturnal rainforest mammal. In 2006, the socialite ended up in hospital after the animal bit her leg. She said: “It got a little crazy one night…I thought it had rabies.” She did not have rabies, and Hilton refused to have Baby Luv put down.
Nicolas Cage's King Cobras
Nicolas Cage, known for his kooky habits, has owned everything from a pet crow to an octopus. However, he came a cropper when he kept two venomous king cobras, Sheba and Moby, at his home. He says: “They would try to hypnotise me by showing me their backs, and then they’d lunge at me.” The Hollywood legend eventually rehomed the snakes to a zoo.
Elvis Presley's Chimp Scatter
Elvis Presley kept a menagerie of animals at Graceland, from a turkey to a myna bird. His beloved chimpanzee, often dressed in human clothes, caused the most trouble. Scatter's antics included ripping up curtains, trashing rooms on film sets, pulling up women’s dresses, and drinking alcohol.
Boris Johnson's Dog Dilyn
When Boris Johnson was Prime Minister, he and his wife Carrie kept a Jack Russell-cross at Number Ten. Johnson admitted Dilyn’s romantic urges were out of control: “My dog is endless…. on people’s legs.” The dog was even said to have tried to hump former aide Dominic Cummings at the country retreat of Chequers. Dilyn was also accused of jumping on antique furniture and urinating in staff’s handbags.
Joe Biden's Dog Commander
In 2023, US President Joe Biden's dog Commander bit a Secret Service agent, leaving a deep bite that required stitches. After numerous similar biting incidents, the dog was removed from the White House. Commander’s behaviour echoed that of another presidential German Shepherd, Franklin D. Roosevelt's pet Major, who in 1933 bit UK Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald during a visit to Washington DC, tearing off part of the bottom of the premier’s trousers.
Dame Judi Dench's Parrot Sweetie
Dame Judi Dench, famed for her role as M in Bond movies, has revealed that her pet African grey parrot has a terrible potty mouth. The star said: “You shouldn't ask what she says. She says: 'You're a s**t', 'you're a s**g,'” But Dame Judi has said she “wouldn't be without her” sweary bird “for the world.”
Ben Fogle's Dog Storm
TV star Ben Fogle’s pet labrador is apparently always causing chaos. He says: “It usually involves food. Storm stole my mother-in-law’s Sunday roast ham. She also stole the children’s chicken, some banana bread, the butter dish…”
Michael Owen's Dog Ronnie
England’s former football ace Michael Owen sought the help of TV dog trainer Graeme Hall after his Staffordshire Bull Terrier bit another dog, leaving the animal needing stitches. The ex-Liverpool striker says: “Ronnie is a cracking dog, but he simply doesn’t like other dogs.” After Hall identified that the dog wasn’t properly socialised and was picking up on his owner’s nervousness, the animal’s behaviour improved.
Mike Tyson's Tiger Kenya
A white Bengal tiger was heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson’s pride and joy until he decided to get rid of the pet after it attacked a trespasser at his home. Tyson ended up paying the woman £200,000 in compensation after the 550lb beast mauled her hand as she tried to play with the dangerous feline.
