Pets

Michael eventually came to realize that any such procedure would be too risky, but not after flying in experts. La Toya told News of the World, "... He wanted to give him vocal chords and asked doctors, 'Can I give him an operation so that I can know what his thoughts are?'"

The exonerated puppy is Bella -- who was just 9 months old when she was accused of biting the hell out of Vanessa -- who was jogging in Pennsylvania on May 2.

But in a trial that was like an episode of "CSI" -- Bella's owner argued that there's no way the doggy would have carried out the attack ... and then brought in several forensic experts -- including specialists in dog behavior and canine dentistry -- to back her story.

Ultimately, the experts paid off -- and the judge ruled that Bella could move back in with her owner ... instead of being put down.

Dr. Cindy Bressler sued Mariah in Manhattan yesterday -- and in the suit she says she provided "extraordinary services" for three of Mariah's Jack Russell terriers ... Cha-Cha, Dolomite and JJ. Bressler claims she's only been paid $8,000 of the 38K bill.

Dr. Bressler's attorney tells TMZ the vet was in charge of grooming and feeding the doggy divas while Mariah was in L.A. promoting "Precious." According to the attorney, Bressler also brought tiny Dolomite into this world -- delivering the pup last year.

The two met up for an Animal Planet special which ran last night called "Michael Jackson and Bubbles: The Untold Story." It was the first time they'd seen each other since 2004 ... when MJ gave him up.

During the encounter, La Toya gets super emotional ... begging Bubbles to simply acknowledge her. There's crying, there's awkward moments ... but no dung was flung.

TMZ spoke with a rep for the group "In Defense of Animals" -- who tells us, "By choosing to drive under the influence with his dog in the car, Chrisnot only put innocent drivers in danger, but broke a promise to be aprotector and guardian to his pet."

As we previously reported, Klein was arrested in L.A. this morning -- law enforcement sources tell us his blood alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit.

Gary took the job as part of a reality show pilot that was shot in 2008 and never aired. A life coach made him take the job to improve his people skills and save his marriage to then wife Shannon Price.

Garcia took to his blog yesterday, saying his dog Nunu had been run over by a car on Sunday -- right before he left for the airport on the island of Oahu ... where they filmed a bunch of stuff for "Lost."

"She died in my arms," Garcia explained ... adding, "We are burying her in the Pet Garden at Valley of the Temples in Kaneohe. Nunu hated the water so we couldn't bring ourselves to having her ashes scattered in the ocean."

R.I.P.

Octo has agreed to display a banner around her La Habra home for PETA, with the warning: "Don't Let Your Dog or Cat Become an Octomom."

In return, Octo gets $5 grand and a month's supply of veggie dogs and burgers.

Tragedy has once again struck John Travolta's family -- two dogs belonging to the actor were killed on Thursday in a freak airport accident.

In an email sent to the Bangor Daily News, city officials said, "At approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010 an airplane carrying members of the John Travolta family landed at BIA [Bangor International Airport in Maine]."

Officials said "someone who is not a family member" took the two dogs for a walk when an airport service truck approached the jet and accidentally struck and killed the dogs.

We spoke to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals L.A., who told us "It is permissible to hold a kitten by his or her scruff for a brief amount of time" ... but warns, "the manner in which Ms. Kardashian is holding the kitten could lead others to mishandle animals."

According to sources on the set of the photo shoot where the pic was taken, Kim only held the cat by the scruff for a few seconds -- and did it with the owner and a vet's consent.

We're told the cat is "doing fine."

TMZ has obtained the script for "Hustler’s Untrue Hollywood Stories: Jesse James" -- which begins production on Monday. Jesse, Sandra and Michelle are all featured -- and Jesse's trusty sidekick Cinnabun has a part, played by a dog named Crisco. Don't worry -- it's a non-sex scene.

**SPOILER ALERT** In the film, Jesse cheats on Sandra with Michelle McGee, Sandra sends him to sex rehab (they get it on), then she cheats on him right back ... with Brigitte Daguerre.

Baby Gaga was at a zoo in Australia last week, when she decided to get grubby with a long-necker.

Sit Mimi, sit.

Besides discussing the rumored monkey sex, Daguerre also explains why she's not a homewrecker ... and you gotta hear the explanation...