The RSPCA believes an increase in miniature dogs being dumped at shelters is linked to a celebrity trend of using pets as “fashion accessories”.

Celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Geri Halliwell and Jessica Simpson are constantly seen with their miniature pets poking out of designer satchels.

But their owners are doing them no favours, warns the Queensland RSPCA’s Lorraine Sanney. She said treating the pets like “little toys”, carrying and spoiling them, turned the dogs into little horrors.

Read the rest of the article here, but first, what do you think about the RSCPA pointing fingers of blame at the above-mentioned celebrities for the many dogs that are suddenly neglected? Do celebrities have that much power over the purchase of a dog in the public’s eye?