In the western section of Hanford, California, a mountain lion that had been reported wandering around for days has been safely captured by the California Fish and Wildlife Commission.
According to rangers, the mountain lion has been returned to the wild, and although Hanford is nowhere near the foothills, it is suspected he had traveled along a river corridor into the valley looking for food.
The Hanford Police posted the following information on their Facebook page to help residents be alert and safe. It was also noted that local residents not to call about stray domestic cats.
The Hanford Police Department has received numerous reports of a possible mountain lion in City limits. The department is in contact with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding the situation.
If you see something resembling the animal shown in the photo (either in person or on home security footage), please keep your distance…
On Tuesday, the cat was located and tranquilized near Liberty Street and 12th Avenue. Per the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the wildlife biologists and veterinarian found the cat to be a healthy young male. He was transported to a suitable area in the region and released on Thursday.
Mountain lions are very wary of humans and often avoid populated areas, but can, on rare occasions, make their way into cities in search of food or other resources. In most cases, these animals find their way back to open spaces on their own, but this guy needed a little help from CDFW getting back to natural habitat.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell issued a statement on Wednesday evening, June 17, promising the department’s commitment to transparency after an officer shot a beloved family dog while responding to a domestic call about a “screaming woman” from a neighbor at the apartment complex in Canoga Park, California.
In his statement McDonnell included that a specialized department unit has been launched:
There is no incident more serious than when an officer fires a service weapon. …thorough, multi-layered examination…
The dog, Jameson, a two year old Berdoodle, had been wearing a New York Knicks jersey when officers knocked on the apartment door informing the family their neighbor had been concerned with the screaming coming from the apartment and that she was worried the woman had been in danger. The resident, Marie Marseille not in danger at all; was actually celebrating with family.
When officers knocked on the apartment door, they could hear Jameson barking on the other side and asked the family to secure their dog. As Marseille opened the front door slightly to speak with the officers, Jameson squeezed by her and ran out into the hallway. According to the officer, the dog “charged” at him; that’s when the officer drew his firearm and opened fire. The dog died minutes later.
The emotional case has drawn intense public scrutiny and in a GoFundMe fundraiser has garnered more than $185,000.
Since Jameson’s death, supporters have left flowers, candles, stuffed toys and handwritten emotional notes in memory of the two year od Saint Berdoodle. No details about the situation and how the tragedy unfolded has been released, however investigators are currently reviewing evidence about the officer’s actions, department policies, protocols and witness statements.
LAPD officers face unknown dangers on a daily basis, but I expect them to exercise sound judgment, restraint, and respect for life whenever possible.
The family has since hired an attorney who stated Jameson posed no threat. Calls have been sent to LAPD to release the body camera footage, surveillance video, dispatch recordings and all radio communications during the evening of celebration dog owner Marie Marseille and her family, had been marking for the New York Knicks’ championship victory.
The tragic incident drew the attention of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass who stated she spoke directly with McDonnell and ordered a full investigation.
On Wednesday, a dog was found abandoned on the side of the road in the Houston area. A bright pink tote held her emaciated body; a quilt had been placed beneath her. Had that been an act of kindness?
Her condition was grave; her belly had been severely distended, her ribs showed prominently through her black coat while maggots crawled all over her. Her once white paws had turned brown. She was wet and in pain, and she waited for someone to help her.
She was barely alive, but she kept her head high, as if she knew she couldn’t give up. Not yet.
Cars passed by, and no one stopped. Dirty water had collected in a ditch, but had she enough strength to satisfy her thirst? How long had she been waiting for help?
Corridor Rescue Inc. immediately agreed to help her when she was discovered; she was rushed to the emergency veterinarian hospital. She was given an identify and a name of Tempest. She arrived at Vergi 24/7 under Corridor Rescue Inc.. (You can donate at Vergi’s account for Tempest. (713) 932-9589.)
When Tempest arrived at Vergi, it became painfully clear she had been suffering. She was covered in fleas and intestinal parasites. She was severely anemic. In addition she was heartworm positive, and she was in full heart failure from a massive heartworm burden. Veterinarians drained more than five liters of fluid from her abdomen to give her some relief when breathing, but she was suffering from Caval Syndrome, a devastating complication of advanced heartworm disease.
She could barely breathe and required oxygen support. Her blood sugar remained dangerously low despite IV fluids and repeated interventions. Her organs were beginning to fail. Her body was shutting down.
Of course, everyone always hopes for a miracle, and maybe Tempest could have had a few more days or longer, but she didn’t have the strength of survive. Hearts are broken. Today we grieve for Tempest. She was only three years old, and there was no doubt she had been failed by humans over and over again.
According to the veterinarians, Tempest had been suffering for a prolonged period of time before she had been abandoned in the plastic tote on the side of a country road. The tote, lined with a blanket, told us she was not a stray; she belonged to someone.
Someone knew her.
Someone watched her grow weaker.
Someone watched her struggle.
Someone watched her become too sick to stand and too weak to move.
And when caring for her became difficult, they chose to throw her away and leave her to die alone.
Last night, rescuers made the painful decision to let her go peacefully. It was the final act of love they could give her, because unlike the people who failed her before, her new family had to put her welfare first.
And what adds to the heartbreak of Tempest losing her life last night is knowing every single one of the conditions she suffered was preventable.
“Heartworm prevention could have protected her. Basic veterinary care could have changed the course of her life. Compassion could have saved her. Instead, Tempest suffered until someone decided she was no longer worth helping.”
If only rescuers could have met Tempest sooner. Her story could have been different. Her life mattered, but in her final hours, she wasn’t afraid anymore nor was she in pain. She was surrounded by people who cared.
You were not abandoned. You were not forgotten. You were loved.
Run free, Tempest. No more pain. No more fear. No more suffering.
Kevin Sanders was sentenced to five years in prison on a Class 6 felony animal cruelty conviction which involved the death of a dog and abuse at Your Dog’s Best Friends located in Alexandria, Virginia.
He has been ordered to report to prison early next week.
The abuse occurred at the “Your Dog’s Best Friends” boarding and grooming facility. It had been an anonymous former employee who turned over more than 500 hours of video from security recordings to the authorities which investigators reviewed. Between July 2024 and January 2025, Sanders could be seen choking and violently handling dogs.
On February 2, 2026 during his trial, Kevin Sanders pled guilty to a felony charge related to the death of a dog named Abigail while employed at the facility. Surveillance footage showed how impatient Sanders had been with the three-year-old golden retriever which contributed to her death by Sanders pulling on her neck with a grooming loop.
The judge suspended three years of prison time and 12 months on each Class 1 misdemeanor conviction, with all misdemeanor time also suspended. The suspended sentence, however is conditioned on two years of supervised probation, two years of good behavior, completion of a cognitive behavioral evaluation and any recommended treatment, completion of anger management and restrictions prohibiting animal ownership and employment involving animals. The defendant is also prohibited from contacting the victims in the case.
Make sure to thoroughly investigate where your dog is groomed or boarded.
In Weston, Wisconsin, an adorable small white bundle of cuteness proved she was more than just a pretty face. The four-year-old dog with the big ears named Lillie Ann has been honored by the community as a hero.
Just days ago, Lillie Ann’s humans, Robert and Karen Fandre, had been watching television in their living room when the dog continued to pace back and forth by the front door of their apartment. Robert checked the hallway for anything unusual or suspicious, but there was no one there.
No sooner, however had Robert opened the door to step out into the hallway to check again, Lillie Ann wiggled her way out and ran to the door of the couple’s neighbor who had fallen and was not able to get up.
The woman had been calling for help, and it was only Lillie Ann’s ears that picked up the cries of the injured woman. Robert Fandre followed Lillie Ann:
She went in and we found her lying there and so then we called the ambulance and they came and administered to her and took her to the hospital.
Lillie Ann has turned out to be one special helper. Not only has she become a hero to the woman in need, she also intervenes in Robert’s health reminders.
Not all heroes wear capes, and Lillie Ann just further demonstrates how revered and respected our canine partners have become in our lives. Lillie Ann demonstrated how her keen awareness can lead to life-saving interventions for people nearby.
Along Chicago’s lakefront, animal care officers from Chicago Animal Care & Control responded to a 311 call on June 15, concerning an injured dog.
Animal Control officers arrived at Rainbow Beach after a concerned resident spotted a frightened dog trapped under some large rocks that extended into Lake Michigan near 75th Street.
When Inspector Bazal and Officer Rubio arrived, they located the dog wedged between and underneath massive shoreline boulders approximately 30 feet from shore. Navigating the uneven rock pier and carefully making their way to the dog’s location, the officers were able to safely free him from the crevice.
Despite finding himself in a difficult situation, the dog was friendly, cooperative and happy to see his rescuers. With the assistance of the reporting caller, the officers safely brought him back to shore and transported him to Chicago Animal Care and Control.
The good news didn’t stop there. Upon arrival at CACC, the dog was immediately evaluated by our veterinary team. Estimated to be about one year old, he was bright, alert, responsive, social and eager to eat.
Aside from a few minor superficial abrasions likely related to being trapped among the rocks, he was in good overall condition and required no additional medical treatment.
The dog was also scanned for a microchip, but none was found.
This rescue is a reminder that Chicago’s Field Services team respond to much more than stray animal calls. From emergency rescues along the lakefront to helping animals in difficult and dangerous situations, dedicated officers are in the field every day serving both animals and residents across Chicago.
A special thank you to the caller Jonathan who reported the dog and remained on scene, and to our field staff for helping bring this young pup to safety.
Do you know this dog? A314681
Male dog, approximately 1 year old
Found near Rainbow Beach at 75th Street and South Shore Drive
Now safe at CACC and awaiting his family to come forward or his next chapter. Heroes don’t have to wear capes. Many thanks to everyone who make a difference. Please be kind.
The Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue is asking for the public’s helping identifying a gang of juveniles who thought it was funny to purposely throw bricks at a dog in his own backyard. Poor Brutus had been outside on a chain when the children approached the chained friendly pup.
According to Brutus’ owner, he heard his dog yelping in pain and spotted the kids running away and laughing. When he went outside to check on his dog, he found the bricks next to Brutus.
The children who allegedly attacked Brutus were all reported to be between 8-10 years old. Unfortunately, the witness doesn’t know exactly where these kids live, however rescuers, neighbors and Good Samaritans are providing evidence to law enforcement so that they can investigate the incident and find the youngsters responsible for such a heinous act.
In the meantime Brutus has been surrendered to The Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue for care. The dog’s leg is broken, and his owner stated he could not afford the dog’s care. Brutus is currently at a veterinary hospital, and his updates will follow as his condition continues to be assessed.
Meanwhile, the days of Brutus being chained and being attacked are over. He’s safe now!
Two giraffe calves, missing since 2025 in a case connected to the Natural Bridge Zoo, have been found. Legal action by Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General led to their safe return and their subsequent placement in a specialized facility for giraffes.
This outcome reflects the Attorney General’s commitment to ensuring public safety, protecting our communities, and accountability for those who break the law. Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, no further details can be released at this time.
The animals are receiving proper medical and behavioral support.
The co-owner of Natural Bridge Zoo, located in Rockbridge County, Gretchen Mogensen, refused to explain to the court what happened to the giraffes or turn them over to authorities. She was ordered to serve a 100-day jail sentence for refusing to cooperate.
The baby giraffes had disappeared after a state raid was conducted on the roadside zoo in December 2023. Nearly 100 animals had been seized due to animal neglect allegations. At the time, investigators also stated that two adult giraffes had recently given birth, but the calves were missing from the property at the time of the seizure.
Their exact recovery location has not been released due to the ongoing criminal investigation.
Zoo owners Deborah Mogensen, Gretchen Mogensen, Karl Mogensen and Mark Easley collectively face 55 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
Two of those owners and a veterinarian also face charges with public record forgery.
If anyone has information about the illegal movement of the giraffes, please call 804-786-2071.
On June 10, a New York City a 16-year-old carriage horse named Deniz collapsed and died in Central Park.
The death of Deniz quickly escalated the ongoing battle to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. A spokesperson for TWU Local 100, who is also a carriage driver, stated that Deniz had worked in the city for about ten years. He had been pronounced fit to work after his most recent examination in March by the veterinarian for the Police Department’s Mounted Unit.
A necropsy report just released by the TWU union stated the horse’s death was caused by a nonnative toxic plant.
According to the report, Deniz had been working near East 90th Street when he stopped to munch on a shrub along the curb. Not long after that, the horse collapsed and died. The plant Deniz ate was a Japanese yew, an ornamental bush that is toxic and deadly to horses. The necropsy report performed by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine stated the yew contains powerful toxins that interfere with the heart’s electric signals which leads to irregular heart rhythms and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, according to the report.
The carriage union wanted the results of Deniz’ death be published to show his death was not a result of neglect or abuse, but rather the fault of the Central Park Conservancy never warning anyone there were deadly yew plants in the park.
The Central Park Conservancy is the official partner for managing, restoring and caring of the 843 acre Central Park. The conservancies collaborate with all New York City parks to maintain the public green spaces across the five boroughs.
The conservancy, however pushed back telling the carriage horse drivers that it is a violation of city law for a horse to eat any vegetation in Central Park.
The same rule requires carriage drivers and operators to attend to their horses at all times in order to keep them safe and healthy. Perhaps if they had, Deniz would not have suffered as he did.
The final results of the necropsy are pending, but veterinarians found evidence of the yew in the horse’s mouth and around his whiskers.
On Saturday night, June 13, 2026, an officer from the Los Angeles Police Department shot and killed a friendly family dog while responding to a “screaming woman” report from a neighbor at an apartment complex located in Canoga Park, California.
The dog, Jameson, a two year old golden doodle, had been wearing a New York Knicks jersey when officers knocked on the apartment door informing the family their neighbor had been concerned with the screaming coming from the apartment worried the woman had been in danger. The resident, Marie Marseille was actually celebrating with family.
The disturbing incident has sparked heavy backlash and outrage after everyone discovered the woman had not been in danger, but was exuberant about the New York Knicks winning the NBA finals and securing the first NBA championship title in 53 years. Her neighbor has since apologized and feels awful about Jameson.
When officers knocked on the apartment door, they could hear Jameson barking on the other side and asked the family to secure their dog. As Marseille opened the front door slightly to speak with the officers, Jameson squeezed by her and ran out into the hallway. According to the officer, the dog “charged” at him; that’s when the officer drew his firearm and opened fire. The dog died minutes later.
Marseille was hysterical and could not understand how anyone could shoot her dog who was described by neighbors and very energetic and playful. Not one person interviewed stated there was anything aggressive about Jameson.
A video of the heartbreaking incident has gone viral, and an investigation has been initiated. The saddest part is seeing Marseille kneeling over her dog’s lifeless body crying and screaming. It all just rips our hearts apart.
Check out the video:
A dog was fatally shot by the Los Angeles Police Department on Saturday night after officers responded to reports of a screaming woman inside an apartment building.
The department said when authorities responded to the woman's apartment, they requested she secure her dog who was… pic.twitter.com/JFK3I1fFJC
