I don’t know if I believe this story, but it’s from the New York Daily News gossip section:

 You’d better sit down for this one.

In a shocking scandal that would not be news any other month but August — when frankly nothing else is going on — Paris Hilton has split with her teacup Chihuahua, Tinkerbell.

The miniature mutt has been callously replaced with a smaller version called Bambi.

“[Paris] only likes them when they’re very small, and Tinkerbell got too big,” a pal told New York magazine.

The former A-list animal companion has been sent to live with Hilton’s mother, Kathy.

Tinkerbell made world headlines last summer when Hilton was photographed distributing lost-dog posters around West Hollywood, only to be reminded she had left the pup with her grandmother.

While comparable canines usually cost between $2,000 and $3,000, Tinkerbell’s bloodline commands upwards of $10,000.

A rep for Tink’s breeder, ­Texas Teacups, explains: “Tinkerbell is at the larger end of the teacups. Usually, they won’t go over 31/2 pounds, but if you fix them or feed them junk. …”

Paris’ fiancé, Paris Latsis, should take note.