English singer-songwriter Lily Allen is facing online backlash after revealing that she returned a dog she had adopted due to it eating her family's passports. Allen took to Instagram to defend herself amidst the controversy and express her distress over the situation.

The controversy stemmed from an episode of Allen's podcast "Miss Me?" where she divulged that she had adopted a dog during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the pup named Mary turned out to be badly behaved, and after it ate her passport and those of her two daughters, Allen made the difficult decision to return the dog to the shelter.

News outlets ran articles about Allen's comments, which provoked negative reactions online. In response, Allen posted an Instagram statement criticizing the distorted and anger-inducing nature of these articles. She pointed out that many crucial details, such as the dog's behavioral issues and the involvement of a behavioral specialist, were omitted.

Allen revealed receiving abhorrent messages, including death threats, and expressed her disappointment but not surprise at the hateful comments, attributing them to the misleading articles. She emphasized that her family's well-being had been impacted by the incident.

The story originally surfaced during an episode of the podcast when Allen mentioned her family's plan to adopt a Chihuahua mix puppy. She shared the story of Mary with her podcast co-host, Steve Jones. Allen explained that the dog's actions had caused logistical nightmares and had considerably delayed her children's visit to their father in England.

In her Instagram stories, Allen recounted how she had adopted Mary from a New York shelter and loved her dearly. However, the dog developed severe separation anxiety, causing significant challenges for the family. Despite extensive efforts, it became clear that their home was not the best fit for Mary's needs. Within 24 hours of her return, she was rehomed with someone known to the family.

Allen, who has consistently adopted rescue dogs since childhood, defended her decision to prioritize Mary's happiness and welfare. She also sarcastically thanked animal rights organization PETA for exacerbating the situation with their critical post. In response, PETA suggested that the organization had sent Allen a mechanical toy puppy as a substitute for a real dog.

This is not the first time Allen has faced controversy for her comments. In a recent episode of the "Radio Times" podcast, she sparked mixed reactions by stating that having children had "ruined" her career.

As of now, a spokesperson for Allen has not responded to requests for comment. The singer remains steadfast in her belief that she made the best decision for Mary's well-being and continues to advocate for animal rescue and welfare.

Despite the criticism, Allen's honesty and willingness to share her experiences continue to generate both support and backlash from online communities.