Simone Biles is facing backlash for buying her new puppy from a breeder after the dog underwent a controversial cosmetic procedure.
Biles, 28, and her husband, Chicago Bears star Jonathan Owens, were pictured with their new Doberman puppy in a post shared via Instagram by Regal Empire Dobermans on Sunday, December 14.
“We know they will be great additions to your families!” the company wrote.
However, not everybody was as enthused about the couple’s purchases.
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“We were stunned when we saw you purchased a dog from a breeder, and judging from the comments online, we weren’t alone,” animal rights organization PETA said in a statement to Us Weekly about Biles and Owens’ new pet. “Then you went another step further and had the puppy’s ears chopped off? Ear cropping is excruciatingly painful and, as cruel as it sounds, permanently disfiguring them for no reason other than to achieve a certain look.”
The statement continued, “Many veterinarians refuse to perform the procedure, which has been banned in many European countries. Dogs love us just the way we are — the very least we can do is return the favor and never subject them to mutilation surgeries like the one your new puppy endured.”
PETA also criticized the couple’s decision to buy from a breeder, saying, “As long as people continue to buy dogs when so many await loving homes, we will always be in a homeless animal crisis.”
“Imagine what it’s like to work in a shelter — agonizing every second about the flood of animals coming in and working tirelessly to try and find homes for those who fill cages — only to see someone of your popularity and influence posing for a breeder’s Instagram page,” PETA said. “It’s simple math: for every dog purchased, a dog in a shelter loses their chance at a home. If you were set on a Doberman, there are many rescues that would have happily worked with you to adopt one in need.”
The statement concluded, “We hope next time you’ll be kind and adopt one of the millions of animals dreaming of a better life. Thank you.”
Biles and Owens, 30, who got married in April 2023, weren’t the only members of the Chicago Bears family to purchase a Doberman puppy from the breeder.
In the same Instagram post, Bears cornerback Joshua Blackwell can also be seen picking up his new puppy with his girlfriend, Eva Serrano.
Serrano showed off the couple’s new addition to the family via Instagram earlier this month, writing, “Officially dog parents 🤍🐾🎁.”
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New dog mom Biles, meanwhile, is no stranger to speaking her mind online. She recently got candid about her breast augmentation in a TikTok video posted last month.
“Let’s talk about it,” Biles said, pointing at her chest. “I got my boobs done June 16, but I know everybody wants to know: Who was the doctor? Where did I get them done? Did I do over or under? And what size implants did I do?”
Biles revealed she had her work done by Houston-based surgeon Dr. Kriti Mohan.
“We decided under the muscles was gonna be the best option for me based on my inspiration photos to get the most natural look,” Biles said, explaining she got 310cc with “high profile, extra filled [and] silicone” implants.
