PETA snaps at Jackson’s treatment of animals

Michael Jackson may have been cleared on those child molestation charges — but now he’s facing allegations of animal cruelty.

The “Thriller” singer has come under attack by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is saying that self-proclaimed animal lover Jackson — who lately has been living in Bahrain — has left the animals at his Neverland Ranch in California in a state of “squalor.” The group has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate.

“Photos [of Neverland] make it clear that the animals are being held in what can only be described as cruel conditions,” Lisa Wathne, spokeswoman for PETA, told the London Mirror. “They’re abysmal, little more than holding cells. Jackson must close this place and relocate the animals to an accredited zoo or sanctuary.”

A spokesman for Jackson declined to comment.

Wedding woes for Eminem?
Getting remarried hasn’t tamed Eminem.

The bad-boy rapper flipped his middle finger at reporters as he arrived for the nuptials , according to Star magazine. Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, on Saturday re-married Kim Mathers, with whom he went through a turbulent divorce in 2001.

“The approximately 80 guests, mostly in casual attire, partied in a banquet room decorated with flowers, candles and other items in various shades of lavender,” reported the Star. “While the adults had surf and turf, the children at the family-oriented bash ate chicken nuggets and burgers.”

But at least one relative reportedly thinks that the singer is a few fries short of a Happy Meal for getting remarried to the woman he had publicly mocked. Betty Kresin, Eminem’s grandmother, has been quoted as saying that the once-and-again wife of Eminem has “brainwashed” him.

“Boy, has he made a big mistake,” Kresin said, reports ContactMusic. “No pre-nup or nothing.”

Notes from all over
Britney Spears has provoked a new round of rumors about the state of her marriage by going shopping without her wedding ring.  . . . Thandie Newton is the latest star in a long list to be mentioned as the possible next Bond girl.  . . .  Liz Hurley says she hates being so famous. “’The positive things are very shallow; the positive things would be things like: Getting any restaurant reservation you like! Getting to the front of the line! Being given free things! So what?” the former model turned actress told the Observer magazine. “The traveling is monstrous because you get bothered all the time. The hell of going on holiday when you’re famous! You can’t go anywhere! It’s just no fun!”

Jeannette Walls Delivers the Scoop Mondays through Thursdays on MSNBC.com