Katie Price announces the death of her latest pet, Blade, amid growing calls for her to stop adopting animals

Though sources for The Sun have stated that Price is heartbroken and it’s “rotten luck” that this has happened, those familiar with Price’s creature comforts might not use that particular phrase, but instead ask “how” she keeps getting animals despite this being the apparent sixth animal Price has owned that has died - and the second that has been struck on that particular part of the A24, after the death of Sharon, a Pomeranian, seven months ago.

That death toll sadly is not just relegated to domestic animals such as cats and dogs, but also allegedly a horse that was struck on the same stretch of road. That’s according to the creators of a petition on Change.org, who are now calling for authorities to step in and prevent Price from adopting any more animals for the sake of their welfare.

Which would seem harsh - clearly a case of a bad run with animals. However, according to the petition created by Ban the fur Don't wear animal fur, they believe that it’s more a case of irresponsibility regarding the welfare of the animals rather than “bad fortune.” In their summary, the petition organisers wrote “Animals just go missing in her home, never to be seen again. Her guard dog broke into her neighbours garden and killed their chickens. A dog trained to attack people[...]”

“The neglect seen on her show, My Crazy Life. Cat poo with mould growing on it. Dog poo just left on the floor. Clothes dumped all over the place. Algae growing in her pool where her puppy drowned. She jokes about her mucky mansion. But it ain't a joke that animals are dying from her lack of care.”

So far, that petition has reached over 30,000 signatures and is directed to the RSPCA, though the animal welfare group has yet to make any announcements or decision despite the rising concern the petition has demonstrated.

Should Katie Price be allowed to own any more animals?

I can’t help but recall The Simpsons episode when Lisa’s beloved cat, Snowball II, was hit by a car and the subsequent fates of a number of other felines throughout that episode. It would seem like The Simpsons, much like Hallmark, have a moment for everything.

I’m sympathetic to Katie Price and her plight, but it does raise red flags when three of the animals owned by Price have somehow died on the very same stretch of road. Once is sad, twice unacceptable but a third time? Inexorable - it shows almost a lack of responsibility which is surprising given that Price has mentioned her fondness for animals before. 

But should she be banned outright from owning animals? Potentially; maybe it’s for the better that she owns an animal that cannot quite as easily escape from her garden to the A24; but a goldfish doesn’t really seem as exotic a pet for Price to be Instagrammed with. Which is a shame, because there is such a thing as exotic fish…

But for six (an estimate from the Change.org petition creators, it could be more) to have died on her watch in, to be fair, careless circumstances, seems a bit much. Would the RSPCA take action if it was someone else who had a dismal track record of animals dying much before their life expectancy? I’d assume so.

Plus for all her personal assistants, could not one of them close the gate behind them, or sound out “hey Katie, perhaps you should invest in some more secure surroundings for your pets.” Especially a horse, which is hardly the most inconspicuous of animals to be hit by a car, as opposed to a cat or dog. 

Should she be allowed to own more animals? Yes. Should there be levels of pet ownership though to ensure that her next animal isn’t another one for the running total? Absolutely - like I said, there are such things as exotic fish.