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Kate Gosselin is back and at it again.

The venerable reality star and tabloid fixture has made more controversial parenting decisions over the years than we can count.

Add yet another one to that list.

K8 Plus Eight Star
(Getty Images)

Last week, the 41-year-old mother of eight posted a photo of her son Aaden, 12, having some quality time with the family pet, Nanuq.

Seemingly harmless?

Maybe, except for the fact that the kid is locked in a dog crate … and in light of controversial reports surrounding Kate’s treatment of Collin.

"I asked Aaden to keep Nanuq company for a few minutes while I cleaned her area…this is what he did!" Gosselin wrote on Instagram.

"They played toys and snuggled! #ILoveThisBoy"

"#TrueLoveForHisPup #Dedication"

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Yes, Gosselin implied that her 12-year-old son chose to climb in, and yes, he certainly looks happy as a clam in the photo above.

However, the cage appears locked from the outside, and her track record is such that she gets little benefit of the doubt from fans.

If you can even call them fans.

After Aaden’s fellow sextuplet Collin was sent to a treatment facility hours away from home, Kate incurred another round of public wrath.

Collin has special needs, the full explanation of which has never been given, but which haven’t stopped Kate from using it for attention.

Or so her critics say …

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"[There’s] a fairly fluid diagnosis of what those needs are, but he needs to learn certain strategies to help him deal with things," she said.

"This has been a struggle we’ve had for a very long time, and it’s one I’ve dealt with on my own. I’ve felt very alone in this."

"By the same token, it’s not something that has only impacted me or him … our entire family has been impacted [by this]."

Obviously, Collin’s personal situation has sparked debate and sympathy, but as far as Kate exploiting and abusing the child?

An Instagram post promoting her People cover story (above), which featured all the kids but Collin, garnered some colorful comments.

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Fans lashed out, accusing her of exploiting her son’s emotional issues for personal gain, which sadly isn’t the first time she’s heard that.

“Shame on you for being so desperate for attention that you disclose this information about your beautiful boy!” a fellow mother wrote.

“There is no low too low for you," another mom lamented.

"Colin," one fan even said, "deserves better from you.”

That’s harsh, but given who we’re talking about?

You can see why eyebrows are raised at just about anything these days; Aaden’s dog crate playdate was basically asking for trouble.

Which begs the question: Is Kate Gosselin trolling us? Or just the polar opposite of self-aware and living in her own egomaniacal bubble?