Gosselins Repond to Allegations They Mistreat Their Pups

June 9, 2009 — -- Jon Gosselin just can't seem to catch a break.

Gosselin, the embattled father of TLC's reality show "Jon and Kate Plus 8," is now responding to allegations that he and his family have been mistreating their German shepherd puppies, Shoka and Nala.

A June 4 interview published on People.com in which Gosselin said that his kids often "beat" their dogs sparked an outcry of complaints to the local branch of the Humane Society.

"Those kids beat them up, climb on them, pull their tails, bite at them, drag them around and everything you can imagine not to do to an animal, they've done," said Gosselin, who described the dogs as "loyal creatures."

Karel Minor, the executive director of the Humane Society of Berks County, Pa., told ABCNews.com that community members have been complaining about how the Gosselins treat their dogs.

"We received about a dozen complaints," said Minor.

Minor confirmed that the two dogs have licenses in the area where the Gosselins live and that they are up-to-date on their vaccinations.

"We have no credible reason to believe in any way that there is cruelty going on," Minor said.

Gosselin, in a statement released to ABCNews.com, sought to "set the record straight" regarding the mishandling of his family pets, stating that his previous remarks about his kids were taken out of context.

"We understand the responsibilities of being good dog owners," Gosselin said. "Whenever my kids are with Shoka and Nala, everyone is carefully supervised to ensure that no one -- dog or child -- is injured."

"Shoka and Nala are loyal companions who we consider members of our family," he said. "We would never do anything to hurt them, and treat them with the respect and love that they deserve."

This latest controversy comes as the latest in what has been a whirlwind of negative publicity for the Gosselin family, who have faced allegations of infidelity as well as claims they are using the popular reality show to exploit their children.