The US media personality announced on social media that she had said farewell to her "precious" Harajuku B****, which was 23 years old.

Hilton, posted a series of photos of the dog and some of her other pets, along with a message paying tribute to the animal that "filled" her life with "so much love, loyalty, and unforgettable moments".

She wrote: "Today, my heart breaks as I say goodbye to my precious chihuahua."

The 42-year-old socialite and businesswoman said her pet "lived a long, beautiful and iconic life, surrounded by love until her final peaceful slumber".

Hilton told her 23.7 million Instagram followers that "words cannot express the immense pain I'm feeling right now".

The former reality TV star said that Harajuku B**** was more than just a pet - "she was family to me, a loyal friend who was always by my side through every twist and turn life brought my way".

The dog was a "tiny ball of love, brightening up even the darkest of days", she added.

"Rest peacefully, my sweet darling... You will forever be my little angel, forever missed, and forever loved.

"You may be physically gone, but the imprint of your pawprints on my life will never fade," Hilton said.

Last month, the US star shared the first pictures of her baby son called Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum.

Hilton, famed for her business ventures and her reality shows such as The Simple Life, shared the black and white photographs on her Instagram page.

Hilton and her partner Carter Reum had kept the birth of their child - who they had via surrogacy - a secret, even from their closest friends and family.

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In March, Hilton spoke to Sky News about alleged abuse at so-called "troubled teen" boarding schools, which she famously attended, and has since campaigned against.