Controversial YouTuber turned boxer turned WWE wrestler Logan Paul responded to accusations of abandoning his pet pig Pearl out in a field.
The content creator with over 23 million YouTube followers found himself in the midst of controversy when a TikTok video revealed the employees from The Gentle Barn animal sanctuary found Pearl alone next to a dead pig with a "life-threatening infection" in her uterus that has since healed.
It didn't take long for the internet to determine the pig once belonged to Paul, which the sanctuary addressed without mentioning his name.
"From what we've been told, it's believed she was purchased originally from a breeder by an influencer."
They added:
"People often buy 'mini pigs' or 'teacup pigs' for clout online, believing they will stay small. When they inevitably grow very large and have many unexpected needs, they're sadly discarded."
Here is the animal rescue's viral TIkTok.
@thegentlebarn Pearl was found alone in a field next to another pig who had passed away. She came to us with tattered ears and a potentially life-threatening infection in her uterus that has since been healed. She's clearly been through so much trauma that we can't begin to imagine, but she's now safe with us at The Gentle Barn. From what we've been told, it's believed she was purchased originally from a breeder by an influencer. People often buy "mini pigs" or “teacup pigs” for clout online, believing they will stay small. When they inevitably grow very large and have many unexpected needs, they're sadly discarded. While we don't know everything she's been through in her past, we know her life is now filled with friends, nutritious foods, the highest quality care, and so much love. #pigrescue #animalrescuestory #abandonedanimals #pigsoftiktok #farmanimalrescue #thegentlebarn
After The Gentle Barn's video went viral, Paul claimed there was more to the story.
He took to Twitter and stated that re-homed Pearl at an "amazing" ranch in Santa Clarita, California because he was unable to take her with him when he moved to Puerto Rico.
Another one... youtu.be
Paul alleged Pearl lived at the ranch for 10 months but was re-homed again to a farmer across the street when the owner sold the property .
Paul claimed this happened unbeknownst to him.
\u201cAs far as I know, the Farmer called the Gentle Barn to pick her up, & denies there was a second pig \u2014 Pearl was transferred alone.\n\nThis is an incredibly heartbreaking situation, I had Pearl for 2 years.\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201cI\u2019m beyond thankful to the @TheGentleBarn for taking her in & will do whatever I need to aid in Pearl\u2019s care\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
Paul Todd TMZ the previous owner of the ranch to which Paul re-homed Pearl moved to Nevada and was unable to take the animal with them.
"That ranch-owner, or homeowner, gave Pearl to the farmer across the street."
"To my understanding, that farmer called Gentle Barn to come and pick her up."
You can watch TMZ's interview, here.
Logan Paul Says His Pig Wasn't 'Irresponsibly Rehomed' Before Gentle Barn Rescue | TMZ youtu.be
Social media users weighed in after Paul's explanation.
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn If what you say is true you\u2019re in the clear. Although you do need to stop getting animals that you don\u2019t intend to commit a lifetime to. Sadly a ton of people hating on you probably have gotten rid of an animal prematurely as well.\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn I\u2019m not a fan, but I appreciate this clarification\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
Some, however, remained unmoved by his side of the story.
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn Bro let\u2019s be real. The majority of your \u201cpets\u201d are props for content. I could never just give away my dog to a friend or re home my pet because I\u2019m too busy to take care of them long term. Oof\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn I could never give up my pet. I would never have moved.\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn Logan Paul after using an animal for clout then abandoning it:\n\nLogan Paul after the media calls him out for being an animal abuser: \u201cI have made a severe and continuous lapse in my Judgment\u201d\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn you represent everything is wrong with society today. So now you are not only a scammer, but an animal abuser. And ALWAYS is someone's else fault? TAKE RESPOSANBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn Coming from someone who is a part of a Puerto Rican farming family... I can confidently say that pigs can be brought to the island from the mainland. That goes for livestock trade and pets.\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@defnoodles I never trust anyone whose first and last name should be the other way around.\u201d— Def Noodles (@Def Noodles) 1673297027
Suggestions were made.
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn Pay all her costs then. You have the money to do so\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn Logan, please please take a trip to @TheGentleBarn. Meet the animals and speak with Ellie about what they do there. Take a big fat donation with you to thank them. You may come away with a new perspective. You don\u2019t even have to film it.\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn And maybe to show gratitude make a very generous donation to these wonderful people for the good work they do for many animals.\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
\u201c@LoganPaul @TheGentleBarn Please make a large donation to the gentle barn, it's the least you can do. They help animals, care for the neglected...they are the true heroes. Please make a donation to them.\u201d— Logan Paul (@Logan Paul) 1673370971
According to The Gentle Barn, Pearl is being well taken care of.
They wrote in the TikTok video's caption:
"While we don't know everything she's been through in her past, we know her life is now filled with friends, nutritious foods, the highest quality care, and so much love."
Paul is best known for his bad behavior.
His numerous controversies included a December 2017 trip to Japan, where he visited the Aokigahara "suicide forest" and filmed the body of a suicide victim and uploaded the footage to his YouTube channel.
As a result Paul was dropped from platforms, demonetized on others and faced widespread backlash.
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