As New Jersey considers making it the law to have your dog restrained in your car, a new study suggests that these dog seatbelts and harnesses may not offer much actual protection and can actually cause injury to your dog.

The Hero Dog Awards were held by the American Humane Association on October 6th. Gabe, a retired military dog who completed more than 200 combat missions in Iraq won the top honor of being named American Hero Dog of 2012.

Kabang, the hero dog who lost her snout and upper jaw when she leapt in front of a motorcycle to save two little girls, finally made her way to UC Davis last week. Kabang made a long journey from the Philippines to be treated by the doctors at UC Davis. Kabang has undergone a preliminary exam with the veterinary surgeons and they anticipate that Kabang will need at least two surgeries.

A New Hampshire woman has been sentenced to serve 4 to 8 years in state prison for her torture of two 8-year-old German Shepherds, Pebbles and Magic. 35-year-old Jamie Labbe forced several metal objects down the two dogs’ throats back in April 2011, an apparent act of revenge on her boyfriend, Kurt Krohn. The dogs were taken by Krohn to the veterinary clinic where emergency surgery had to be performed. Magic recovered, but Pebbles did not survive.

Nature’s Recipe has issued a voluntarily recall of their Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken due to Salmonella contamination. The recall is a precautionary measure, as no illnesses have been reported from this product. Nature’s Recipe is asking those who have bought the treats to discard them immediately

Dog lovers are very affectionate with their four-legged companions. A new study from the journal Archives of Oral Biology is cautioning against getting too affectionate. The study found that people and pets exchange harmful mouth bacteria when they kiss.

Buttons, a Jack Russell terrier, was rejected by his mother as the runt of the litter. He has found all the love he needs though in Kitty, a black and white kitten that is at the same shelter in as her in England. The two friends have become inseparable, to the point that Buttons cries when Kitty is taken away from her to spend some time with other cats at the shelter.

When 27 Chihuahuas needed transportation from Virginia to New Jersey, pilot Matthew J. Kiener, stepped up to the plate. Kiener volunteers with Pilots N Paws. Keiner, along with his friend Byron Hamby, successfully flew all 27 Chihuahuas to New Jersey on Thursday where the Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey took them in to try to find them loving homes.

A unique friendship has developed between a three-month old pig named Piglet and a two-year old terrier named Alfie. Piglet has become so bonded to Alfie that she has traded her life as a pig in for life as a dog.