From ABC Channel 7 in Denver, Colorado, a story about two pit bulls that were shot by animal control officers attempting to rescue a cat owner from the dogs. 

The owner of these dogs apparently allowed the dogs to escape custody; the dogs were running around loose, the officers were called and were attacked.  They made it back to their vehicle, called for backup, then saw the dogs attack a cat.  The cat owner tried to save the cat, the dogs then went after the owner, and the control officers first taisered the dogs, then shot them to save the owner of the cat.

Colorado has had a string of pit bull attacks in the past couple of years, the worst of which caused the death of a woman in November 2003.  The owner of the pit bulls in that case has been sentenced to six years in prison, and has begun serving her term.

Via the New York Times, scientists have been able to extend the cognative abilities of older dogs through a combination of enriched diet and enriched environments.  Per the study:

By the end of the two-year trial, it was clear that the enriched diet alone and the enriched environment alone were each helpful in preventing decline. But the mental functioning of the dogs given a combination of enriched diet and stimulating environment was considerably higher than that of the dogs in the other three groups, the researchers found.

This study was conducted on beagles, already an intelligent breed (like most hunting types).

Via Channel 6 news, a neopolitan mastiff in Manea, England gave birth to 24 puppies.  Twenty of the original 24 have survived so far; four were too weak and died.  There are pictures of the puppies through the link.

From The Facts (registration may be required), a story about the Southern Brazoria County Animal Shelter budget problems and the $23,000 shortfall in the current year's budget.  The shelter is run by Clute, Freeport, Lake Jackson, and the SPCA. 

Cash donations are accepted by the Southern Brazoria County Animal Shelter.  The shelter can be reached M-F from 12 to 5 at 979-285-2340.