Animals

Elon Musk isn't worried about autonomous vehicles messing with people's pets ... because he just claimed they'll actually make animals' lives safer.

ICYMI ... driverless vehicles have been hitting some PR potholes lately -- especially after a bodega cat named KitKat was killed by a Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco on Monday.

There was an outpouring of support from residents of the Mission District after the beloved feline's death.

Nearly 3 days after a truck crashed in Mississippi and unleashed a group of lab monkeys into the wild, cops were tipped off on a possible sighting -- but hold your bananas, 'cause no monkeys have been found!

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson tells TMZ ... an individual called in Thursday night reporting a monkey sighting around the apartments on Country Road 828 near Heidelberg in Jasper County.

But, when the search team arrived, there was no monkey swinging around.

The otters at Oregon Zoo were flippin' out -- dunking, dribbling, and flexing skills that might just have the NBA sweating ... and TBH, their game is pretty legit!

The zoo in Portland just dropped an IG clip of their star players -- Lincoln, Juno, and Sushi -- three sea otters casually slam-dunking jack-o’-lanterns like it was the playoffs ... and as you can see, they were total show-boaters.

The trio was launching out of the water, slamming pumpkins like pros -- they were rewarded with fishy treats -- and even nailing a worthy aerial that's straight-up epic!

According to the zoo, the otters aren’t just clowning around ... dunking’s part of their training. Usually it’s basketballs, but this time pumpkins -- seasonally appropriate -- all to keep 'em moving and keeping those little joints in top shape.

San Francisco is reeling after the loss of one of its most beloved bodega cats ... a community fixture who, according to his owner, was tragically struck and killed by a Waymo self-driving car.

KitKat -- the resident feline at Randa’s Market in the Mission District -- was reportedly hit by a driverless Waymo late Monday. A local resident told Mission Local he was driving down the street when he saw the Waymo suddenly swerve ... and people on the sidewalk started shouting and grabbed the cat as the Waymo drove off.

A 311 city complaint stated KitKat was near the store, sitting on the sidewalk next to the transit lane when he was struck -- and the self-driving taxi “did not even try to stop.”

Okay, folks, let's get down to business ... some serious -- and literal -- monkey business!

You might've heard about a bunch of primates getting loose after a truck accident on a highway in the South ... and you might've even learned about some serious diseases they were reportedly carrying ... because we had the scoop on it all!

Here's an overview of how the situation got so hairy ... and what to do if you come face-to-face with one of the escaped monkeys.

The mystery behind why five monkeys were killed by police after a truck carrying the primates overturned in Mississippi has been solved -- and TMZ has the full scoop!

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson tells us ... he contacted one of his deputies who responded to Tuesday's truck accident along a highway in rural Heidelberg, and he asked the deputy what kind of threat the monkeys pose to the public.

Johnson said the deputy had the 2 truck occupants contact their supervisor -- who warned the cargo contained 21 test monkeys infected with COVID, herpes, and hepatitis C -- and, as a result, they needed to be handled with protective gear.

Mississippi’s got one wild situation -- a hostile STD-carrying monkey busted loose from a large trailer truck hauling primates after the semi flipped over on a highway, according to police.

The wreck went down Tuesday in Heidelberg, where the truck, containing several monkeys infected with hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID, crashed en route from Tulane University to a Florida testing lab.

Witnesses shot camera footage that captured the monkey climbing out of the trailer and wandering around in a rural area. Cops say six monkeys made a break for it -- but five have been destroyed, and one’s still on the loose.

A Saudi Airlines jet was turned into a bloody mess after it was hit with a massive bird strike ... which damaged the nose of the aircraft.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, Saudi Airlines flight SV340 hit a flock of birds shortly after takeoff from Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers Saturday.

While the strike damaged the nose cone of the Boeing 777-300, the plane continued to its destination and landed safely at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

1 PM PT -- The former professional dog-sitter who lost her job at Rover.com has now been kicked off her jiu-jitsu club.

Miami's Fight Sports Club tells TMZ they just learned of the incident, and said both the pet-sitter and her boyfriend have been banned from the team.

The academy said ... "We are very sad and deeply sorry for this situation. ... We want to make it clear that we have no involvement or responsibility for anyone’s personal life or business outside the academy. Fight Sports stands for truth, values, and integrity, and we will always take action when something goes against those principles."

The HGTV couple who say their dog was killed while supposedly in the care of a professional pet-sitter is demanding accountability ... and, they're thinking about ways they can redefine the legal status of dogs in Florida.

We spoke with Eilyn and Ray Jimenez -- best known for starring in the hit reality show "Divided by Design" -- on "TMZ Live" Friday ... and, they ran through the events surrounding their dog's death, which they previously laid out on social media.

ICYMI ... Eilyn and Ray were told their dog Aria -- a 12-year-old Shih Tzu -- died of a heart attack while in the care of a pet-sitter while they were out of town for 2 days. However, they said they learned from the cremation center where their dog was taken before they got home that their pup was actually killed by another dog.

Katherine Schwarzenegger is heartbroken over the loss of her beloved horse, Cinco ... sharing a flood of pics on IG, honoring their 20+ years together.

In her Tuesday post, Katherine wrote a heartfelt caption ... saying goodbye to a pet is never easy, especially one who’d been part of every chapter of her life -- even sizing up Chris Pratt on the now-married couple's very first date.

Katherine shared Cinco had been with her since she was 11 ... she’d do homework in the stalls -- her safe haven -- and lean on him through heartbreaks, first loves, worries, and every major life moment in between.

A Texas man is accusing a Customs and Border Protection agent of fatally shooting his pet dog during a sweep for undocumented migrants at his home -- but the feds say the pooch was at fault because it was too hostile.

Although the shooting went down in early September ... the story of what happened stayed under the radar until this past weekend and TMZ just got an update from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP.

A spokesperson for DHS tells us ... CBP agents entered the El Paso residence with consent from the homeowner. While they were inside, the owner's dog, named Chop, "aggressively charged [at] the agent" and "fearing for his safety, the officer discharged their firearm." DHS says its is currently reviewing the matter.

Jimmy Fallon is heartbroken ... revealing his beloved family dog has passed away.

On IG Monday, the talk show host posted sweet snaps of their pup Gary -- writing a heartfelt tribute about how the silence at home feels deafening without her ... but that it’s slowly being filled with stories, laughter, and a few sniffles.

Jimmy even shared a few of those memories -- calling the unforgettable pup their "first baby, a therapist, a pillow, a big sister, a schoolmarm, a comedian, a party girl and a rebel" all rolled into one.

Jimmy first introduced Gary to his IG followers way back in 2012 -- so it’s clear she’s been a huge part of the family’s life for over a decade.

Sharon Osbourne is saying goodbye to one of her most loyal companions ... her beloved dog Elvis has died.

The TV host shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram Sunday, writing ... "I can't believe I am posting this but my darling Elvis passed away this week. He gave me 14 precious years. He was by my side until the end. Rest in peace my darling boy!"

Elvis, a Siberian Husky that Sharon adopted, became a fixture in the Osbourne household alongside Sharon and Ozzy's pack of pets.

Musician and comedian Robby Roadsteamer was arrested outside an ICE facility during a protest in Portland, Oregon -- while dressed as a giraffe -- and the feds are explaining what led up to the bust.

Video of Robby's Wednesday arrest went viral ... it shows him singing outside a federal building in the city, alongside a bunch of protesters ... when federal agents come out and grab him and take him inside.

Honchos at the Department of Homeland Security tell TMZ ... "This deceptively clipped video features this attention-starved influencer who flew all the way from Massachusetts to trespass on federal property."

Hasan Piker's dog Kaya yelping on a livestream has led to death threats for the political streamer over rumors he makes her wear a shock collar ... but he says it's all a big misunderstanding.

In the October 7 clip of his daily live stream, Hasan scolds his dog and seems to be reaching for something right at the moment she yelps ... leading scores of viewers and commenters to accuse him shocking her as punishment.

We caught up with the prolific daily streamer Wednesday ... and he admits "the clip itself looks terrible," but insists on the day in question she was just wearing her regular collar. He says Kaya yips and yelps often, like when she's playing with other dogs ... and when she's snagged her dew claws before around the house.

Robert Irwin's emotional dance on "Dancing with the Stars" left no dry eyes in the ballroom ... as he paid homage to his mother.

The 21-year-old and his partner took the floor to Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart" ... all part of the show's "Dedication Night," when celebs pay tribute to someone special.

In his confessional, Robert explained how his mom, Terri, "always made sure my dad was present in our lives" ... opening up about how he struggled after losing his late father, Steve Irwin. With that, he wanted to show his mother the gratitude he feels for her.