Ozzy Osbourne’s son, Louis, has publicly refuted a long-standing allegation that his father once shot and killed 17 cats while under the influence of drugs. The claim, originally made by Osbourne himself in a 2007 interview with The Scotsman, has circulated for years, adding to the rockstar’s already infamous reputation.
The Original Claim
In the 2007 interview, Osbourne admitted to shooting 17 cats that his family had adopted. The story gained traction online, becoming another sensational anecdote in the Ozzy Osbourne lore. The incident, if true, would have been a gruesome and disturbing act, even by the standards of the famously reckless musician.
Louis Osbourne Sets the Record Straight
During a recent episode of his brother Jack Osbourne’s podcast, Trying Not To Die, Louis Osbourne directly addressed the claim. He stated unequivocally that his father never killed any cats. Instead, he clarified that Osbourne once shot a pen of chickens and set it on fire in a drunken stupor.
“We never owned 17 cats… he did go and shoot a pen of chickens and set fire to it in a mad drunken rage one night. But he never ever ever slaughtered any cats. I’m putting the record straight here.”
Ozzy Osbourne’s Family Background
Ozzy Osbourne has seven children from two marriages. His first marriage to Thelma Riley resulted in three children: Elliot (adopted), Jessica, and Louis. His marriage to Sharon Osbourne produced three more: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. The family history has been marked by both success and controversy, with various members navigating the spotlight and their own personal struggles.
Why This Matters
The correction from Louis Osbourne matters because it challenges a widely repeated narrative about his father. The original claim, whether intentional exaggeration or misremembered detail, has likely damaged Osbourne’s image for years. By setting the record straight, Louis offers a different account of his father’s behavior, one that replaces feline deaths with an admittedly still disturbing act of animal cruelty involving chickens.
The incident also highlights the dangers of celebrity stories taken out of context. While Ozzy Osbourne’s past excesses are well-documented, it is important to verify claims before repeating them, especially when they involve potentially criminal acts. The episode reinforces that even in the world of rock and roll excess, not everything is as sensational as it seems.
Ultimately, Louis Osbourne’s statement provides a counterpoint to a myth that has persisted for almost two decades.
