Lily Allen has responded to backlash after disclosing that she once rehomed an adopted dog during a recent interview on the Miss Me? podcast. The singer-songwriter shared that she returned a dog named Mary to a shelter after the pet caused significant disruption by destroying her family’s passports during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Allen, who described Mary as a “very badly behaved dog,” emphasized that she had made considerable efforts to care for the animal. However, her comments have sparked intense criticism, with some accusing her of “dumping” the puppy. The backlash has escalated to the point where Allen has received “death threats” and “disgusting comments” on social media, prompting her to address the situation on Instagram Stories.
In a detailed statement, Allen clarified her position and condemned the media for distorting her comments. She explained, “People have been furiously reacting to a deliberately distorted cobbling together of quotes designed to make people angry, and as a result, I’ve received some really abhorrent messages including death threats.” She continued, “I’m OK but it has been a really tough few days that has impacted me and my family.”
Allen detailed how she had rescued Mary from a shelter in New York City, but the dog developed severe separation anxiety, making it impossible to leave her alone for more than ten minutes. Despite seeking help from shelter experts and a behavioral specialist, the situation did not improve. Eventually, a volunteer from the shelter helped rehome Mary with someone known to Allen, a decision she described as difficult but necessary for the dog’s well-being.
“I’ve had rescue dogs consistently throughout my life since I was four years old,” the 39-year-old singer noted. “I’m pretty good at ascertaining a dog’s needs. I have never been accused of mistreating an animal, and I’ve found this whole week very distressing.”
Allen concluded her statement by urging her followers to avoid reacting to “clickbait articles” and to listen to her interview in full for the complete context. She added, “It is distortion, and all you are doing by engaging with these stories is making more money for people who profit from sewing division and tearing us all apart.”
