Paris and Nicky Hilton, the American equivalents of Tara PT and Lady V (only younger, richer and possible even more pointless), are to model in a poster campaign for PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The hotel heiresses may frequently display the trappings of their vast wealth – designer wardrobes, jewels, the freedom to dedicate their lives to pampering themselves – but it seems that wearing fur is a line they just won’t cross.

The pair met Dan Mathews, the straight-talking director of international campaigns for PETA at a recent magazine launch and agreed straight away to do the advert. Mathews, who singles out fur-wearing Vogue editor Anna Wintour for his particular contempt, calling her pretentious and evil’ and ‘largely responsible for why the masses think the fashion world is so ludicrous’, introduced the Hilton siblings to fellow animal rights campaigner Pamela Anderson at his party. ‘I’ve never felt so flat!’ bleated Paris upon meeting curvaceous Pammy. Not missing a beat, Pammy shot back, ‘I’ve never felt so poor!’.

However, as most of us know, just because something seems to be the case does not mean that it is. Do Paris and Nicky really hold the same views about animal rights as the PETA powers that be? Neither are vegetarians, and PETA promotes a strict vegan (no animal products whatsoever) diet. Both wear leather shoes and design a line of handbags using leather, which PETA is adamantly against. And may I present to you the following pictures of Paris engaging in some very un-PETA like behavior...

Here is a picture of Paris in a (GASP!) ensemble decorated with feathers. for those of you who don't know where feathers come from, they come from real live animals called birds. According to PETA, an animal-friendly human being should not wear such things, as the birds used to provide these feathers are either killed or kept in extremely cruel conditions.

Exhibit 3:

Here is a picture of Paris in what looks suspiciously like a fur stole. Isn't she wearing the very object she agreed to campaign against? Even if it isn't real, she is still promoting the idea of fur as a fashion accessory. Perhaps Paris thinks she only has to be fur-free at PETA events, and this photo was taken at the Barnum Kaleidoscape Circus Party, a promotion event for, you guessed it, a circus. For more information on PETA's stance on circuses, take a look at their website.

Exhibit 4:

Socialite Paris Hilton has sacked her family’s top chef after she spoke out about the heiress’ alleged mistreatment of her pet chihuahua, Tinkerbell.

Animal-loving chef Lila Livingstone, who works for Hilton’s grandfather, Baron Hilton, was so upset when she found the little dog allegedly cowering in the corner of a bathroom, she decided to go public with her concerns.

First, she took the tiny dog to animal welfare experts at Last Chance For Animals, where she was examined, and then she appeared on the American TV show Celebrity Justice telling all about Paris’ neglect of her little pooch.

Livingstone said, “they’re not fashion accessories. I found Tinkerbell huddled alone in a bathroom. I got very angry. I was like, ‘What is this dog doing here?’ The first thing I looked for was water and there was no water.”

”I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do this. I’m not after the family, this is to do with the mistreatment of an animal.”

Hilton denies the accusations, and publicly fired Livingstone on the same TV show which aired the chef’s concerns.

She fumed, “This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life. That dog is with me at all times, she’s like my daughter. I dress her up, I take her out. She is so spoiled.”

But Last Chance For Animals boss Chris De Rosa, who insists tiny Tinkerbell was “so skinny” when he examined her, admits he’s since had another complaint about the way Paris allegedly mistreats her pooch.

He adds, “We had an anonymous complaint from a man who said, ‘Paris is neglecting her dog and you oughtta do something about it.”