Drop the doggie bag, stars told

Wearing their pets like a fashion accessory, they have given new meaning to the term 'doggie bag'.

Celebrities such as Geri Halliwell, Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton are constantly seen with their miniature pets poking out of designer satchels.

But no matter how comfortable the animals seem, their owners are doing them no favours, says the RSPCA.

Dogs should get around under their own steam and being carried everywhere can harm their development.

'We are concerned about the practice of carrying dogs in handbags,' said a spokesman.

'Dogs should be walked and not carried everywhere in order to keep limbs strong and healthy and they should never be seen or treated as a fashion accessory.

'We also wonder whether these dogs will still be around when they get older or will they perhaps be given up in favour of a newer and cuter dog?' Earlier this week, actress Uma Thurman was spotted in New York carrying her pet in a sealed seethrough holdall casually flung over her shoulder.

The RSPCA spokesman added: 'Celebrities are role models for many people and have an important opportunity to demonstrate responsible pet ownership.'

Animal psychologists have recently suggested that carrying pets in handbags could make them aggressive towards other animals.

Dr Roger Mugford, from the Animal Behaviour Centre in Surrey, warned: 'It is important for dogs to know their place in the pecking order and not to become egocentric.

'Psychologically speaking, once a dog is raised above waist height for a long period it gets a over-inflated sense of ego.

'It starts to think it is equal to its owner and better than other animals.

'It will become more domineering, disobedient and horrible to other animals and humans.'