Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague admits regret at buying imported puppy that died after six days

Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague has admitted she regrets purchasing an imported puppy - which died six days after it arrived in the UK.

The reality TV star was given Pomeranian pup Mr Chai Bear – imported from Russia – as a 21st birthday present by boyfriend Tommy Fury in May this year.

Hague, 21, has now told The Sun: “If we had our chance again, we wouldn’t have imported from Russia.

Read more: Love Island couple Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury mourn dead puppy

"The autopsy results showed that his skull wasn’t fully developed and he didn’t have a white blood cell left in his body.”

Sellers told the couple the specially-bred dog was healthy, but after he died an autopsy revealed he had been born with enlarged internal organs and part of his brain was exposed.

Hague added: “If we had the time again, we’d have a dog from the UK.”

The reality star announced Mr Chai Bear’s death on Instagram in June, saying, “Tommy and I are utterly heartbroken and shocked.”

Mr Chai Bear had his own Instagram page with 149k followers and Hague had described herself and boxer Fury, 21, as his parents.

Read more: BBC changes title of puppy breeding show after RSPCA expresses concern

The couple met when they were runners-up in the ITV2 dating show last summer.

The price of puppies more than doubled during the first coronavirus lockdown, with dogs costing an average of almost £1,900.

Animal welfare charities have expressed fears this could encourage smuggling, dog theft and “puppy farming”.

Watch: The coronavirus lockdown sparked a rising demand for puppies