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11:34 AM PT -- We're told the dog was picked up Tuesday by animal control -- in an extremely aggressive state -- and a decision has been made to euthanize the animal.

Let's be honest, most cats don't do squat, but this feline from Bakersfield,CA is the exception ... after it ran to the aid of a young boy being attacked by a dog ... and scared the vicious animal away. MEOW!!!!

Check out this surveillance video from Tuesday afternoon ... you can see the boy riding his bike in front of the home when the dog comes around from behind an SUV and drags the boy off his tricycle by his leg.

The dog wrestles with the boy's leg for just a few moments until the HERO CAT comes flying in ... knocking the dog off the boy before chasing the canine away.

The boy's parents say he needed a few stitches after the attack (you can see his injuries below) but overall, he's doing fine. According to local reports, the dog belonged to a neighbor and is now under investigation.

Twin conservative Christian brothers -- whose HGTV show just got yanked -- say they're being unfairly crucified for their religious beliefs about gays ... but if their faith costs them a TV show then "so be it."

David and Jason Benham got word yesterday HGTV had pulled the plug on their remodeling show, "Flip It Forward" which was set to debut in October. The network didn't give a reason.

The news came after a website reported the brothers were anti-gay activists who had led prayer rallies against homosexuality. Their father is also a prominent anti-abortion crusader.

The Benham brothers tell TMZ ... as Christians, they've never discriminated against people who don't share their views, saying "Anyone who suggests that we hate homosexuals or people of other faiths is either misinformed or lying."

They add ... "With all of the grotesque things that can be seen and heard on television today you would think there would be room for two twin brothers who are faithful to our families, committed to biblical principles, and dedicated professionals."

The Benhams say they've been remodeling the homes of 6 families in Charlotte for the show -- and they plan to finish with or without TV cameras.

Dr. Dre FELL IN LOVE with Tom Brady's mega-mansion in L.A. -- and put an offer to buy the house almost immediately after it hit the market back in March ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Tom and Gisele listed the 18,700 sq. ft. Brentwood estate they custom built from the ground up for $50 MILLION after barely spending any time living in the place.

We're told there were "multiple interested parties ready to put offers on the house" ... but Dre swooped in with a solid offer first ... and T&G decided to sell to the Doc.

Sources tell us the deal has not yet closed -- but it's close.

Tom and Gisele were offering the house fully furnished ... but sources tell us Dre has his own stuff he wants to put in the house -- and has chosen to pass on all of the stuff the Bradys spent years collecting from various trips around the world.

As for Dre's finances, he was recently listed in Forbes richest hip hop stars with an approximate net worth of $550 MILLION.

Before Porsha Williams thumped Kenya Moore, she thumped bibles -- ranting from the pulpit about gays and lesbians destined for an eternity in hell.

Video shot roughly 3 years ago at High Praise Christian Center Ministries in GA has just surfaced, showing Porsha preaching and rambling about saving hookers, drug dealers, people who attempt suicide ... and gays and lesbians.

She screams, "We're supposed to try and save them and tell them, ‘You are worthy!'"

She doesn't stop there either ... you gotta see this.

Donald Sterling is desperately trying to play the "I have black friends" card ... problem is, he can't get a black friend on board ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources connected to Sterling tell us ... the disgraced L.A. Clippers owner has reached out to several people he considers friends -- hoping they will vouch for him as a not-racist person.

We're told one of the people he reached out to is an African-American basketball player -- who respectfully declined Sterling's request ... along with everyone else Donald reached out to.

Corey Harrison from "Pawn Stars" flung himself off a moving vehicle Saturday to avoid a MAJOR crash ... and the reality star miraculously lived to tell the tale.

Harrison's family and friends were throwing him a birthday party this weekend at his house ... but before the bash, he left on his motorcycle to grab a few supplies.

Corey says a piece of the bottom fender mount suddenly broke off ... sending his bike into a tailspin at 40 mph. The reality star was faced with two options -- fly into a nearby wall/oncoming traffic, or jump off the bike. He chose door #2.

Harrison was not about to let partygoers down ... so he chose to go to the party instead of the hospital. After the party he took a trip to the ER where he learned he had a broken hand. Doctors surgically placed 8 screws and 2 plates into his busted hand.

Corey couldn't celebrate the party he hoped to have Monday night at the D Hotel and Casino in Vegas ... so they ended up bringing the party to him ... at his humble abode.

Donald Sterling's almost-lifetime achievement award from the NAACP just forced the president of the group's L.A. chapter to quit -- and TMZ Sports has learned he basically got outta Dodge before he was kicked out.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are doing something that seems to go against their DNA ... getting married PRIVATELY and without fanfare, and we're told it's going to happen this week.

Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ ... they already have a marriage license and plan to tie the knot before the week is out.

We're told it's strictly on the QT ... so much so they got a "confidential" marriage license so no one officially knows.

Sources tell us ... with a confidential license, K&K won't have to appear publicly at a courthouse to get married ... instead, an official from the court will actually go to them and perform the ceremony privately in their home.

And then, in about a month -- after they're already legally married in California -- we've learned Kim and Kanye will hold a lavish, blow-out wedding ceremony in Paris.

They got engaged on Kim's birthday ... October 21.

State Farm has suspended its relationship with the L.A. Clippers -- telling TMZ Sports they are "taking a pause" to assess the situation in light of the Donald Sterling audio.

A rep for State Farm -- which famously features Clippers superstar Chris Paul in an ad campaign -- tells us, "While those involved sort out the facts, we will be taking a pause in our relationship with the organization."

"We are monitoring the situation and we’ll continually assess our options."

The rep adds, "We have a great relationship with Chris Paul and will continue supporting the Born to Assist advertising campaign involving Chris and now other NBA players."

The L.A. Clippers have lost their first sponsor in the wake of the Donald Sterling audio -- CarMax has announced it will end its 9-year relationship with the team ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Columbus Short will NOT be returning to "Scandal" -- and sources connected with ABC says it's because the network decided to give him the axe over allegations of domestic violence.

Columbus just released this statement: "At this time I must confirm my exit from a show I've called home for 3 years, with what is the most talented ensemble in television today."

Short goes on: "Everything must come to an end and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to exit the canvas. I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast..."

Short story ... it would appear Harrison ate the bullet that was aimed at him in the season finale.

TMZ broke the story ... Short's wife just got a restraining order against him after he allegedly put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. He's also been charged in connection with another incident with domestic violence and child abuse. He was arrested for yet another incident of alleged domestic abuse. And he was arrested recently for allegedly clocking a dude in a bar.

"Instagram's Biggest Playboy" can add Instagram's biggest dumbass to his resume -- the guy threw a FULLY NAKED porn star off the roof of a Hollywood Hills mansion into a pool ... breaking her foot in the process ... and it was all caught on tape.

Dan Bilzerian -- a millionaire pro poker player famous for his extravagant IG photos -- was doing a shoot for Hustler magazine on Wednesday with 19-year-old Janice Griffith when he got the brilliant idea to cup Griffith's vagina ... and throw her headfirst into the pool. From the roof.

Needless to say, things didn't go as planned -- Janice later tweeted from the hospital, "I broke my foot today."

You have to see the video to see how epically stupid this is.

If only the Darwin Awards offered consolation prizes.

6:22 PM PT -- Stand down Beliebers. Justin just walked out of the terminal -- after more than 3 hours -- and was instantly surrounded by tons of photogs, and a few fans.

Justin jumped into a waiting SUV without saying a word.

Justin Bieber's return to the United States just hit a snag at the airport -- he's being held up at customs, and TMZ has learned it's all because of his string of legal troubles.

Justin and co. flew into LAX from Japan some time this afternoon -- but his party van, his entourage and his luggage have been waiting out by the curb for about an hour now.

Sources close to Bieber tell us U.S. Customs agents are giving JB a secondary customs search ... which includes getting grilled about all his open criminal cases -- DUI arrest in MIami, egg throwing at his neighbor, etc...

We're told it's standard ops for anyone with a record like Bieber's -- and doesn't mean he's getting arrested for anything.

4:25 PM PT -- Artie's expected to get out of the hospital tomorrow, according to his rep. We're told he's feeling much better, but he'll be heading home for some rest.

As for this weekend's L.A. stand up gig -- we're told it's going to be rescheduled.

Artie Lange has been admitted to a hospital in Michigan ... suffering from diabetic shock ... according to the comedian.

Lange tweeted photos just a short while ago showing himself in a hospital gown and lying in a bed ... and not looking happy about the situation.

Artie tweeted, "In the hospital outside of Detroit after going into diabetic shock. Trying to get better. Sorry for missing gigs."

Artie's radio and simulcast TV show is in repeats this week because he's on the road doing stand up again.

It's unclear at this point if he'll be able to make his next scheduled date -- April 19 in L.A.

Story developing ...

Ice Cube is setting the record straight ... saying he was not taking a huge shot at Paul Walker when he griped about losing to him at the MTV Movie Awards -- and claims his words were misinterpreted.

Cube raised eyebrows when, according to USA Today, he said ... "We was robbed" in the Best Onscreen Duo category. He and Kevin Hart's "Ride Along" lost to Paul Walker and Vin Diesel's "Fast & Furious 6."

He added, "We had the best chemistry of everybody nominated, for us not to win was crazy."

Sounds like Cube was getting some heat ... because he's now saying, "I wasn't really mad we didn't win. So I would never diss the actors who won. Not even Paul Walker."

Ice Cube also tweeted, "Ice Cube is not a sore loser. I was born losing. This winning s*** is what I gotta get use to."

Sources close to the actor/rapper tell us he had a joking tone during the USA Today interview ... and was just busting on award shows since he doesn't take them seriously.

We feel you on that, Cube.

Lindsay Lohan loves temptation -- she is on a plane to Coachella right now ... and TMZ has learned she is telling her friends she will 100% NOT fall off the wagon.

According to our sources, Lindsay is aware that going to the festival -- famous for great music and drugs -- is a risk to her sobriety, but she has been promising people she is going to stay sober.

Lindsay has been a mainstay at the festival (long before it went mainstream) and goes with her siblings every year. She made this same sober promise last year, famously hitting Coachella right before checking into rehab.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."