PARIS HILTON - PARIS HILTON'S ANIMAL FAMILY

PARIS HILTON'S ANIMAL FAMILY

Paris Hilton insists she is ''the best animal lover in the world'' and treats her collection of animals like children.

Paris Hilton's pets are like her "children".

The hotel heiress insists she is a considerate animal-owner and treats all her creatures - including Chihuahuas, ferrets and a miniature pig - like family.

She explained: "I'm the best animal lover in the world. There's nobody who takes care of their pets like me... they are my children."

The pig - which will only grow to the size of a Spaniel - is Paris' latest edition to her menagerie and she can't wait to introduce the animal, which cost $4500, to the rest of her pets.

She wrote on Twitter: "So excited for my new piglette to come home to me (sic)."

However, her decision has been slammed by animal rights group People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The organisation said in a statement: "This is a wretched example of Paris treating animals like they are as disposable as her friends and fiances.

"The Chihuahuas, ferrets and Kinkajous she's paraded through her home in the past were not accessories, and pot-bellied pigs aren't either."