Local officials apprehended a man suspected of reckless driving by following a trail of the man's footprints made with dog poo. According to the police report, authorities found a car crashed into the yard of local homeowner Bill McDonald. Investigating the scene, police found a trail of footprints that had been left when the escaped driver stepped in the excrement of most probably one of McDonald's four dogs.

A $10,000 reward was announced by a California family for the safe return of their small dog. Louie, the tiny 5-month old Yorkshire terrier puppy was allegedly stolen at a supermarket parking lot, from Pauline Jolly's car.

In an attempt to protect her dog, an 80-year old woman shot and killed a mountain lion that was in her French Creek home. Martha Smith tried to shoot the lion but missed the first time, forcing her to rush back to her house and dial 911.

A dog was taken to a local veterinary clinic in Austria with the animal displaying symptoms including constant vomiting and swaying side to side. The vet said it was apparent the dog was drunk. "When I got him up on the table, it smelled like a distillery," said Karl Hofbauer of the Oberoesterreichische Nachrichten in the Salzkammergut region.

Philadelphia police have arrested and charged a 15-year-old boy from Nicetown, PA who held a beagle for ransom and attempted to extort money from its owner. The minor suspect, whose name was withheld by authorities, was taken into custody in the early morning of Dec. 30. He was turned over to the custody of his parents while awaiting trial set on Jan. 31.