Florida man injured fighting off bear to protect his dogs

A Daytona Beach man fought off a black bear that charged into his screened-in porch and tried to attack his small dogs. The bear bit and slashed Walter Hickox on his back and arms as he managed to push the bear outside and save his pups.

North Carolina dog ‘shovels snow’ after winter storm

Man’s best friend became an even better one when he “helped” dig out from a winter storm in North Carolina Saturday.

Missing Polk County puppy reunited with family after being located in Nebraska

A puppy that disappeared from its Polk County home last month and was recently dropped off at a Humane Society in Nebraska, was reunited with her family on Saturday.

Betty White birthday video thanks fans for love, support

“I just want to thank you all for your love and support over the years. Thank you so much and stick around,” Betty White said in a video that was recorded before her passing.

Death of 3 horses leads rancher to discover poisonous, invasive plant on his land

Three beloved, family-owned horses have died in succession in Hillsborough County, apparently because of poisoning. The culprit seems to be the invasive, poisonous water hyacinth.

Raccoon rescued after getting stuck in car engine block in Bradenton Beach

Wildlife rescuers in Bradenton Beach came to the aid of a raccoon who managed to get himself very, very stuck -- in a car engine block.

Artist auctions lipstick painting of Betty White to benefit Humane Society of Tampa Bay

On what would have been Betty White's 100th birthday, Sarasota-based artist Alexis 'Lipstick Lex' Fraser started auctioning off a portrait of the actress that was painted using only lipstick.

Michigan Humane looking for home for 30-pound cat named Mister

A big cat with almost as big a personality, Mister the Cat is "going to want to curl up next to you and watch movies all day. As long as you're with him, he's going to be happy. He's going to make someone the best friend."

Betty White Challenge: Ways to honor late actress on Jan. 17, day she would have turned 100

On what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, fans and many organizations planned to pay homage to the late icon. Here are some ways you can honor the legendary actress too.

New Zealand man finds dead cockroach in ear after 3 days

Zane Wedding said he started feeling immense pressure in his ear after a day of swimming and assumed it was just water that got stuck. He would later find what actually got stuck in his ear was something far more creepy and crawly.

Hernando deputies search for person who cinched zip-tie around dog's neck

Disturbing photos show the moments before and after Hernando County Animal Services removed a large white zip tie found tightly fastened around a dog's neck. Animal services found him after multiple Brooksville residents called to report what they saw. 

Hillsborough County commissioners hold off on rabbit sales ban

A ban on retails sales of pet rabbits will not happen in Hillsborough County anytime soon, but commissioners agreed to move forward with a public education campaign, warning well-meaning pet owners of the responsibilities of pet rabbits.

Magawa, 'hero' rat who found over 100 land mines, dies in retirement

A “hero” rat named Magawa, who sniffed out over 100 land mines in Cambodia and saved countless lives in the process, has died.

Betty White Challenge: How to donate to animal shelters, organizations in her honor on Jan. 17

The Betty White Challenge is enlisting fans to honor the late actress on Jan. 17 — what would have been her 100th birthday — by donating to an animal shelter or rescue mission in her name.

20 Yellowstone wolves killed by hunters after roaming from park

Hunters shot and killed a record number of Yellowstone National Park's renowned gray wolves that had roamed from the park in recent months.

New Hillsborough sheriff's K9 named after sergeant killed in line of duty

K9 Roy is named after Sergeant Brian LaVigne, taking the late sergeant's middle name. HCSO said their K9 unit named Roy together with the LaVigne family.

Hound goes to forever home after being Tampa Humane Society's longest resident

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay says the average time a dog spends in the shelter before being adopted is about a week. But it took six long months for a six-year-old hound mix named Rover to find his forever home.