Pets

Banks' owner is suing Ross -- claiming 3 pit bulls escaped from Rick's mansion in Atlanta back in April ... entered her property and ferociously attacked her tiny pet Yorkshire Terrier.

According to documents obtained by TMZ, the yorkie suffered "3 large bite wounds on his back " along with a "very large bite wound" around his neck.

Cops were called to the scene -- and officials managed to free Banks ... but his wounds were so extreme, that the owner had no choice but to euthanize her beloved companion.

Investigators eventually cited Ross for the incident -- but the owner wasn't satisfied so she filed suit, demanding Ross fork over $15,000 in damages and court costs.

We're told the owner is especially upset because Ross has NOT apologized for the incident.

The 5-bedroom, 3-bath stone home sits on 15.8 acres in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania -- and was built in the 1830's.

The show is called "Shawn Michaels' MacMillan River Adventures" -- premiering next month on the Outdoor Channel -- but according to the show's rep, Shawn ain't just hunting for sport ... the guy actually EATS everything he kills.

We also spoke to Michaels himself, who tells us, "I am a Christian, I am an American, I am a family man, and I am a predator, and MacMillan River Adventures will allow my long-time fans and newfound friends to see what really makes Shawn Michaels the man that he is today.”

As we previously reported, James' pit bull roughed up a corgi named Buckley (pictured above) in Austin, Texas two weeks ago. Buckley was rushed to a nearby vet, where he was stitched up and had a drainage tube inserted into his neck to prevent infection.

There are calls to put down the pit.

Cook posted a pic of Beast last night around 9:00 PM and said the dog had been missing for an hour. He asked for help, gave out some info, and posted the ecstatic tweet about finding the dog shortly thereafter.

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.