Pets

As we previously reported, one of Jesse's pitbulls escaped his bike shop in Texas and attacked another dog (below) ... which then had to be rushed to a nearby vet for emergency care.

Leona Helmsley's famous dog inherited $12 million when the Queen of Mean died in 2007. Although a judge slashed that amount to $2 million, which was placed in a trust, that was enough to provide the pooch with $8,000 a year for grooming, $1,200 for food and a full-time security guard -- something that became necessary after Trouble received dozens of death threats.

According to the New York Daily News, what remains in the trust will now go to the charitable trust Leona and her hubby left behind. Turns out the dog's death was a secret for months -- she died in December, 2010.

Leona loved the dog more than many of her own flesh and blood. She cut several grandchildren out of her will entirely.

TMZ spoke with a rep from Animal Control in Austin, TX -- who confirms cops were dispatched to the scene after Jesse's dog -- not Cinnabun -- went after a corgi named Buckley and chomped down on his neck.

We're told the person walking Buckley freaked out -- and began punching the pit bull in the face because it wouldn't let go of the corgi.

Eventually, cops arrived to the scene and freed Buckley -- who was rushed to a nearby vet for emergency care. Buckley had to be sedated and stitched up -- and doctors inserted a drainage tube into his neck to prevent infection.

A rep for the Pet Adoption Welfare Services (PAWS) tells TMZ ... Vinnie had kept all 4 animals in above-ground plastic storage bins, clearly marked as graves ... with little memorials written on them -- and even though it's really creepy ... it ain't illegal.

TMZ broke the story ... Vinnie was arrested for allegedly beating the crap out of his wife ... and while cops were at the home, they noticed the dead animals and called PAWS to investigate.

It all went down Thursday afternoon -- when P!nk noticed a pink horse and a purple horse on a So Cal beach .... and twittered, "If there are any animal activists around Malibu- at Leo Cabrillo State Beach, there are horses being painted for a stupid music video. Shame."

The pop star continued, "Artists should be more aware and responsible for their actions."

Turns out, Gomez was using the pretty ponies for her new single, "I Love You Like A Love Song" -- but her reps are adamant the animals were treated with utmost respect ... at Selena's request.

Selena's rep tells us, "A non toxic, vegetable based powder paint was applied via an airbrush and removed with water. An official from the Humane Society was on set supervising."

Still, we gotta ask ...

The horse's trainer Graham Motion tells TMZ, now that Animal Kingdom is a champion -- he'll start daily saltwater spa treatments to help aid muscle recovery after the race.

The 25-minute process includes submerging the horse up to its knees in cold saltwater -- and Graham insists ... it feels wonderful ... for the horse anyway.

But that's not all -- Graham says AK's bed is getting a makeover too ... telling us, the entire stable will be packed with "a lot more straw for a very cushy bed" to maximize comfort before AK's next big race.

Animal Defenders International claims the video shows Tai, the elephant in the movie ... and several other elephants ... being trained with electric shock devices and bull hooks back in 2005.

ADI claims the trainers in the video are actually Tai's current owners -- a company called Have Trunk Will Travel.

The American Humane Association was on set during filming of "Water for Elephants" and says "no animals were harmed" ... and filmmakers used computer generated images for the scenes depicting animal abuse.

Calls to Have Trunk Will Travel were not returned.

UPDATE: A rep for AHA tells us, "We were not present when this video was shot in 2005. We are not clear about all of the content of this video."

Pink Taco took a lot of flack from locals -- and even on Twitter by a few celebs, like Pink and Lo Bosworth -- for dying a donkey pink and using it to promote the restaurant.

But a rep for Pink Taco tells TMZ, "We obtained a permit from the city to have the animal on site and the pink coloring used on the donkey was a safe, water-based and commonly used on animals in the entertainment industry. Additionally, the donkey’s trainer escorted him the entire appearance, he was on a leash, not a chain as reported in the media, and we provided plenty of water and care to him throughout."

TMZ has learned 12 real life horse-racing jockeys -- 7 of whom are slated to ride in the Kentucky Derby -- shed their shirts for an upcoming "2012 Thoroughbred Racing Jockeys" calendar.

And get this: Mr. July is none other than 5'5", 108-pound stud Julien Leparoux (pictured left) ... who's slated to ride the odd-on favorite at the Derby ... Dialed In.

The mastermind behind the calendar -- Christine Sabia -- tells TMZ that Leparoux agreed to up the sex appeal by slathering on a layer of baby oil for the shoot ... you know, to give him that extra shine.

According to law enforcement, Young Song -- who also worked on films like "Kung Fu Panda," "Shark Tale," and "Madagascar 2" -- allegedly entered his neighbor's backyard last week ... and shot their 16-month-old German shepherd with a pellet gun, before beating it to death with a hammer.

According to the puppy's owner the act was caught on surveillance video.

Song pled "not guilty" today to one felony count of cruelty to an animal, and one count of misdemeanor petty theft of a dog ... after he allegedly dragged the mutilated corpse from his neighbor's yard.

Amanda introduced her new best friend on Twitter just moments ago ... saying, "I got another pomeranian puppy that I'd like to introduce to you, her name is Tiara :)"

Sources tell us, Charlie -- who did bad mouth Denise during the show by calling her a "dognapper" -- sent Denise an email this morning at 10AM PDT threatening that if she did not turn over her pug ... he would continue trashing her on stage.

We're told Denise sent Charlie a response, saying she would never turn the dog over ... and that Charlie could say whatever he wanted about her.

As TMZ first reported ... Denise isn't turning over the dog because she believes Charlie mistreated the pug and is responsible for the death of the dog's companion.

Crawford has filed a lawsuit against the landlord -- claiming she won't return his $20,000 deposit on an Atlanta mansion he rented ... insisting he only caused $1,700 in damage during his stay.

But according to MyFoxAtlanta.com -- the landlord says she's going EASY on the guy -- because his massive doggies -- 2 bull mastiffs and a rottweiler -- relieved themselves all over the home ... we're talking #1s AND #2s.

In fact, the landlord claims the designer blinds are stained with dog pee ... and she has to replace the carpets because the smell is unbearable. She claims the dogs also chewed up several banisters and doors ... and the plumbing needs to be replaced because the sinks were clogged up with dog food.

In total, the landlord claims Crawford caused more than $28k in damages.

FYI -- Crawford pulled in $10.1 million with the Hawks this year ... but he's suing for $60k plus attorney fees.

Bynes tweeted the gloomy news moments ago, saying, "Sad day....Little Angel is in heaven now. RIP I love you."

This morning, Bynes announced Little Angel went missing sometime yesterday -- and begged her Twitter followers to help her locate the young pup.

So sad.