Pet Scoop: War Vet Faces Eviction Over Pup, Bison as the National Mammal & More

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By Vetstreet Jun 1, 2012 3:24PM

Former Soldier Fights to Keep His Dog — and His Home
Eugene Ovsishcher calls Mickey, a 1-year-old Shih Tzu, his “medicine.” According to The New York Times, the Afghan war veteran got the pup after a psychiatrist told him that a dog might be able to help him cope with post-traumatic stress. And Mickey has been a big help, waking his owner from nightmares and calming his anxiety. But like many apartment buildings in New York City, Ovsishcher’s co-op doesn’t allow dogs — and the board at this complex won’t recognize Mickey as a comfort dog. The parties are now headed to court next month. — Watch it at NBC New York
Photo: Mickey the Shih Tzu helps his owner, an Afghan war vet, combat post-traumatic stress. (NBC New York, courtesy of Vetstreet.com)

The Bison Could Become the National Mammal
Legislation has been introduced in Congress to make the bison, known for roaming the old West, the national mammal of the U.S. The National Bison Legacy Act was introduced by Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi — and the push for this symbolic designation has rare bipartisan support. "Since our frontier days, the bison has become a symbol of American strength and determination," Enzi said. — Read it at MSNBC

Kittens Freed From Under Cement in New Home
Construction workers in Utah were stumped when they heard meowing in a home they were building. After tearing open walls, they finally cracked open the cement they’d poured for the garage floor — two weeks ago. There, they found a litter of kittens, who they were able to pull out and save. — Watch it at Today
Photo: Home builders in Utah cut through cement to rescue a litter of kittens.(Today, Courtesy of Vetstreet.com)

Falcons Brought in to Combat Pigeons at French Open
About 30 pigeons had settled at Roland Garros, the Paris home of the French Open. When loudspeaker noises failed to scare the birds off, falcons were welcomed to the site, and will stay for the rest of the famed tennis tournament to keep the pigeons away. — Read it at Fox Sports

Dog Found Safe After Falling Into Chicago River
A Pomeranian named Tank was returned to his owners with the help of some good Samaritans in Chicago. Tank, who was wearing a life vest, fell off his owners’ boat into the Chicago River on Sunday night. After searching into the early morning hours on Monday, the dog’s owners were about to give up hope when they got a call from a woman saying she’d spotted Tank on land — still wearing his life jacket. Another woman took the dog in and fed him, and reunited Tank with his grateful owners. — Read it at Today

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