Posted Oct 21st 2009 1:00AM by TMZ Staff
There is an investigation under way into the mysterious death of an actor who starred in multiple Lady Gaga music videos -- a 5-year-old Great Dane named Rumpus.
Rumpus, who was featured in the videos for Poker Face, Love Game and Paparazzi, was found dead earlier this month after a hike in Los Angeles. But Rumpus' owner, Suzzane Kelleher-Duckett, tells TMZ the champion show dog had no signs of injury and appeared to be in perfect health.
An autopsy was performed a few days ago -- results are expected soon.
Rumpus was supposed to appear in Gaga's upcoming video for "Bad Romance" -- but we're told only Rumpus' mother Lava (pictured left) will now do the gig.
R.I.P. Rumpus.
2004-2009
Filed under: Music, R.I.P., Critters, Exclusives, Lady Gaga
Tags: bad romance, BadRomance, dog, great dane, GreatDane, lady gaga, LadyGaga, video
Posted Oct 16th 2009 12:12AM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's giraffes could be forced out of their home -- for the second time -- unless their keeper comes up with $100,000 quick.
Freddie Hancock of the Banjoko Wildlife Preserve in Page, Arizona, tells TMZ she acquired giraffes Rambo, Jabbar Jr. (JJ), Princess, and Annie Sue from Neverland in 2006 and has been caring for them since -- but now the Page city council is demanding the preserve hand over a $100,000 bond to cover the giraffes in case of emergency ... or else they're out.
But here's the problem: in order to get a $100,000 bond from an insurance company, the keeper claims she needs a special form issued by the city itself ... which Freddie says the city refuses to hand over -- leaving Freddie's hands tied and the giraffes' futures up in the air.
Freddie claims the city wants the bond ASAP -- calls to Page City Hall weren't returned.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Critters, Exclusives
Tags: animals, arizona, giraffe, giraffes, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, page, wildlife, wildlife preserve, WildlifePreserve
Posted Oct 13th 2009 3:02PM by TMZ Staff
It ain't easy being Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's bulldog ... it's downright luxurious.
The A-list pup got the Hollywood royal treatment at the groomers in France on Monday.
When was the last time you brought Fido in for a little mani/pedi/botox?!
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Beauty, Brad & Angelina, Critters
Tags: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, BradPitt, bull dog, BullDog, dog
Posted Oct 13th 2009 11:28AM by TMZ Staff
PETA has unleashed a brutal attack against Paris Hilton for buying a pet mini-pig recently, claiming she's setting a "wretched example" by treating animals like they're "as disposable as her friends and fiances."
PETA says of Paris: "The Chihuahuas, ferrets, and kinkajous she's paraded through her home in the past were not accessories, and pot-bellied pigs aren't either."
The good news: Paris told us she doesn't think she'll get swine flu because she doesn't eat pork.
Filed under: Paris Hilton, Critters, Exclusives
Tags: abuse, animal rights, AnimalRights, animals, paris hilton, ParisHilton, peta, pigs
Posted Oct 13th 2009 9:30AM by TMZ Staff
Famke Jannsen -- who played Dr. Jean Grey in "X-Men" -- is responsible for a New York restaurant breaking the law ... and she can thank her furry little friend for helping her do it.
According to New York City Health Code, it's illegal to bring a dog into a restaurant -- including the patio, if food is being served -- but Famke was snapped sharing an intimate meal with her canine at Il Sole on Sunday anyway.
We spoke to the owner of Il Sole, who told us she wasn't aware Famke was there with her pooch -- or she wouldn't have let it happen.
The only exception to the law is if the dog is specially trained -- such as a seeing eye dog -- but we're pretty sure Famke doesn't need one of those ... despite the giant black sunglasses.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Critters, Exclusives
Tags: dog, famke janssen, FamkeJanssen, il sole, IlSole, new york, NewYork, restaurant, x-men
Posted Oct 12th 2009 6:35AM by TMZ Staff
Move over Cesar Milan, there is a new Dog Whisperer on the block -- and his name is David Hasselhoff.
We caught up with The Hoff and his daughter Hayley in Malibu yesterday -- and while we wanted to talk about David's recent troubles in London, he just wanted to talk ... through his dog.
Perfectly normal.
Filed under: Critters, David Hasselhoff
Tags: daughter, david hasselhoff, DavidHasselhoff, dog, malibu
Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:01AM by TMZ Staff
Brooke Burns took her newly re-found dog Max for a walk around the neighborhood yesterday.
Brooke's dog went missing last week, but was returned on Friday after it was found by Brooke's groomer's client's neighbor.
Some stories do have a happy ending.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Critters
Tags: brooke burns, BrookeBurns, dog, found, lost
Posted Oct 11th 2009 6:30AM by TMZ Staff
Here's a tug on the heartstrings: Michael Jackson's kids saw a sad, two-legged puppy on the news ... and now they're trying to raise money to buy it new mechanical legs.
According to sources close to the family, Jackson's oldest son Prince and daughter Paris saw the dog -- a puppy named Scooby-Roo -- on the news recently -- and were so moved they decided to help raise the $2,000 necessary to buy it a custom-made cart to help it walk.
We don't know how close they are to their goal -- but seeing as they're the most famous kids on the planet, we're guessing it won't take them too long to reach it.
Click here to help out.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Critters, Exclusives
Tags: dog, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, paris jackson, ParisJackson, prince jackson, PrinceJackson
Posted Oct 9th 2009 7:15PM by TMZ Staff
Finally -- a dog tale with a happy ending ... Brooke Burns has FOUND her missing doggie!!!
Here's the crazy part -- the dog was found by Brooke's groomer's client's neighbor ... did you follow that? We'll explain ...
The key part of the story is the grooming shop, where Brooke usually took little Max. We're told the groomer was working with another client this week when the conversation turned to Brooke's missing dog. The client said she had a neighbor who had just FOUND a dog matching Max's description -- small, black Malti-poo with no tags.
When they all put two and two together -- they realized it WAS Max ... and the heroic neighbor quickly reunited the little guy with his famous owner!!!!
No word on who will collect Brooke's $250 reward ... but it doesn't matter -- the DOGGIE IS SAFE!
Filed under: Critters, Exclusives
Tags: actress, brooke burns, BrookeBurns, malti-poo, max, missing dog, MissingDog
Posted Oct 9th 2009 5:30PM by TMZ Staff
Megan Fox doesn't have swine flu, but her adorable little doggy does have pneumonia.
After bringing her pup to get checked out yesterday, Studio City Hospital tells us Megan's dog was diagnosed with pneumonia and is currently on antibiotics. But there's good news -- we're told things are getting better for Fox's best friend ... the dog is eating and drinking again.
The world's luckiest pup should be back in Megan's lap in no time.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Critters, Megan Fox, Exclusives
Posted Oct 9th 2009 3:00PM by TMZ Staff
One lucky little pot belly piglet is about to live a life of luxury -- Paris Hilton style.
TMZ has learned Hilton has ordered a $4,500 Royal Dandie™ miniature pig from a breeder in Oregon -- who'll hand-deliver the piglet to Paris in 4-5 weeks.
Paris' piggy -- who'll be named "Princess Pigelette" -- will be nine weeks old when she arrives and is "closely related" to the piglet pictured. We're told she's black, white and pink -- and is already litter box trained.
A rep for Hilton tells us, "Paris is thrilled! She is a major animal lover and is excited for the arrival of her new piglette."
The breeder tells us these mini pigs are healthy, friendly, clean and more intelligent than a dog.
Tinkerbell -- if she's still around -- isn't gonna be happy about this.
Filed under: Paris Hilton, Critters, Exclusives
Tags: mini pig, miniature pig, MiniaturePig, MiniPig, paris hilton, ParisHilton, pet, pig, royal dandie, RoyalDandie, tinkerbell
Posted Oct 9th 2009 12:35AM by TMZ Staff
Brooke Burns is sad ... and one of you may be responsible.
Yesterday outside CNN, Burns made a heartfelt plea to our camera -- hoping the couple who was spotted snatching her Malti-Poo last Saturday might watch this clip and return him to Brooke and her 9-year-old daughter Madison.
Contact FindToto.com if you have any information on the puppy-napping.
The dog wasn't wearing any tags when he went M.I.A..
Filed under: Critters, Exclusives
Tags: baywatch, Brooke Burns, BrookeBurns, dog, madison burns, MadisonBurns, malti-poo, missing dog, MissingDog
Posted Oct 7th 2009 9:01AM by TMZ Staff
Reassembled pop diva Whitney Houston left a hotel in Paris on Tuesday, with her pooch looking longingly for a way out of a carrying case.
Now that she's finally got Bobby Brown out of her life, Whitney's found a new bitch.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Critters
Tags: dog, Whitney Houston, WhitneyHouston
