The marriage strife between Jon and Kate Gosselin is now affecting the family’s pets — the reality star dad is reportedly returning his German Shephard puppies.
A source close to the “Jon & Kate Plus 8” patriarch confirmed to Access Hollywood that he was returning Shoka and Nala to their breeder, which Radar Online first reported. Jon claims that estranged wife Kate refuses to care for the puppies during her time at the house while he is away.
“It wasn’t something he wanted to do…he loves animals,” the source told Access.
“It’s not fair to the dogs to not be wanted in their own home,” Jon told E!.
The reality dad, who recently moved to New York City, did not explain why he did not take the dogs with him while he was away from the family’s home in Wernersville, Pa.
Earlier this summer, Jon came under fire when he told People that his eight kids often played rough with the two pets.
“Those kids beat them up, climb on them, pull their tails, bite at them, drag them around and everything you can imagine not to do to an animal, they’ve done,” he told People in June. “But you know what: when they’re on duty, they’re on duty.”
After animal rights groups raised concern, Jon issued a statement saying, “Shoka and Nala are loyal companions who we consider members of our family. We would never do anything to hurt them, and treat them with the respect and love that they deserve.”
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