Seminole County Animal Services division manager steps down amid pet diversion program woes
The division manager of Seminole County Animal Services has resigned amid mounting criticism of a since-halted pet diversion program.
‘We’re going to look at it:’ Seminole County halts pet diversion program
Seminole County Animal Services has halted its "diversion" program designed to give people resources instead of just surrendering their pets.
Man, dog severely injured after being attacked by 5 unleashed dogs at Florida beach
A man and his dog were severely injured after being attacked by five unleashed dogs last week in Ponte Vedra Beach, near Turtle Shores, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
‘They’re not easy pets:’ Concerns over rabbits being sold in Central Florida pet store
Petco is selling Teddy Bear and other miniature rabbit breeds at a small number of stores across the country— including one local store in Clermont.
Are ‘cocaine sharks’ swimming along Florida’s coast? Here’s what we know
Large amounts of cocaine have been washing up ashore in Florida thanks to drug traffickers. But could these drugs be impacting sharks off the coast?
Orange County granted custody of dog found in hot car at SeaWorld Orlando
Orange County Animal Services will keep custody of a small dog that was found inside a hot car in the parking lot of SeaWorld Orlando last month.
Halloween fright done right: Gators, Ghosts and Goblins returns to Gatorland
Swamp Ghost’s Monster Museum, meet-and-greets, animals, and more are a part of Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins Halloween season event.
‘Completely infested:’ Rockledge woman calls police to remove bats from apartment
Completely bat-infested: That is how one Rockledge woman described her apartment, and she says the owner isn’t doing anything to help.
Man accused of animal cruelty after dog found near death, later euthanized, DeLand police say
DeLand police arrested a man accused of animal cruelty after officers found a sickly dog which “ultimately had to be euthanized due to its condition,” the agency said on social media.
Florida man calling out to coyotes survives ‘attack’ by armadillos. Check out the funny video
A Lake County man taking a late night stroll in his driveway was caught off guard by two armadillos, and the funny moment it was all caught on his security camera.
‘The dog would scream:’ 2 dogs abandoned, pushed out of car in Orange County
One of the dogs was struck by a vehicle and dragged along "for a short distance" before being able to escape, according to the OCAS.
‘Rattlesnake Dinner:’ This is one of Florida’s strangest delicacies. Would you try it?
When looking at a rattlesnake, “Delicious” isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind. But that wasn’t always the case.
‘Pretty significant:’ Birds washed up on Florida shores had plastic in their stomachs
Dozens of birds found dead or sick on Central Florida beaches in the last month apparently have plastic in their stomachs, according to the hospital caring for them.
Seminole County considers requirement for new neighborhoods to post bear awareness signs
Commissioners in Seminole County are considering an ordinance that would require new signs to warn people about bears.
You now have to walk your dog on a leash in this Central Florida city
The Mount Dora City Council has brought its rules on animals in line with Lake County Code, meaning all “at-large animals” must now be leashed when they’re not otherwise securely confined.
Brevard husband in custody after wife arrested over ‘horrific’ puppy mill
Detectives discovered that dogs had been left out in the sun without proper shelter, with food dishes containing vomit and water pails being filled with mold.
‘Horrific:’ Brevard woman arrested after puppy mill discovered beneath her floorboards
Deputies discovered that the dogs were left out in the heat, their food dishes contained vomit, and their water pails were filled with mold, according to Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
‘Don’t see myself getting back in the water:’ Victim recounts shark attack at New Smyrna Beach
Connor Baker, 21, traveled to New Smyrna Beach for a vacation with his girlfriend and her brother. Now, he's recovering from a major injury to his foot.
Slow down for Florida sandhill cranes: Horizon West to get wildlife crossing road signs
If you have ever seen a Florida sandhill crane in your neighborhood, you know how slow they can sometimes walk. It can be dangerous for them to cross the road if a car doesn’t slow down in time.
Marine Science Center to release sea turtle after months of rehabilitation
The Marine Science Center announced one of its sea turtle hospital patients will soon return to the sea this week after three months of rehabilitation.
Microchip helps Orange County animal shelter reunite lost dog with owners after fireworks scare
Ozzy the dog, who was spooked by fireworks and hit by a car before being found by Ocoee police, has been reunited with his family thanks to a microchip, according to Orange County Animal Services.
Orange County Animal Services provides tips ahead of Fourth of July fireworks
As July 4 approaches, Orange County Animal Services is raising awareness about the surge in abandoned dogs and the need for responsible pet ownership.
This unique animal farm operates below a Florida jail. Here’s where to find it
Earlier this year, one animal farm in Florida made headlines for its rather unique location: it was created beneath a local detention center.
DeSantis signs taking of bears, ethics changes and 12 other Florida bills into law
A controversial bill that creates a kind of “stand your ground” defense for shooting Florida black bears on a person’s property is now a law, along with a bill to make it tougher to file ethics complaints and 12 other bills that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Friday night.
Orange County animal shelter briefly pauses intakes, adoptions due to contagious bacteria
Due to a dog testing positive for Strep Zoo, Orange County Animal Services has paused intakes and adoptions.
‘He wasn’t worried about gators:’ Man says victim refused help before being bitten by alligator in Seminole County
A man who was bitten by an alligator in Lake Monroe this weekend refused help getting out of the water, according to a fisherman who says he tried to get the man out.
Florida man arrested in major Lake County cock-fighting bust, more wanted
Heinrich Gonzalez faces over 120 counts of either animal cruelty or animal fighting after a large cock-fighting ring was discovered at a Lake County home.
Man bitten by alligator while swimming in Seminole County lake
A man was seriously injured after being bitten by an alligator early Sunday in Lake Monroe in Seminole County, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife officers.
‘I made it:’ Teen loses left hand, right leg in shark attack along popular Florida beach
A teenager who lost both a leg and one of her hands in a Florida shark attack has this to say of her ordeal: “I made it.”.
Florida environmental agency battles with group over manatees, sewage in federal court
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and an environmental group are battling in a federal lawsuit about whether the state violated the Endangered Species Act because of sewage discharges into part of the Indian River Lagoon that is a key area for manatees.
‘A Grave in the Street:’ Why is there a tomb in the middle of this Florida road?
Those who take this backroad in New Smyrna Beach are likely to see an eerie surprise: a gravesite embedded in the middle of the street.
Woman loses arm, 2 teens injured in separate shark attacks on popular Florida beach
Authorities are warning of shark dangers along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where three people were hurt in two separate shark attacks.
Florida takes an alligator census every year. These waterways have the most
The conventional wisdom in Florida is that if you see a body of water, assume there is a gator in it. But some bodies of water have more than others — quite a few more.
Winter Park business covers adoption fees during Orange County shelter dog’s pool party
A Winter Park-based business has pledged to cover all adoption fees at a beloved shelter dog's pool party this weekend.
Scientists have traced the origin of the modern horse to a lineage that emerged 4,200 years ago
Scientists have traced the ancestry of the modern horse to a lineage that emerged 4,200 years ago and quickly became dominant across Eurasia.
‘Changed our life:’ Orlando couple adopts abandoned swan from local lake
Lola isn't a typical child — she's sporting a full coat of feathers, for one. But that didn't stop this Orlando couple from taking her in.
Pet dog rescued from hot U-Haul truck while owners were at the beach, police say
New Smyrna Beach officers pulled a dog from a hot U-Haul truck after the pup's owners left it in the vehicle so they could go to the beach, according the department.
Invasive ants create ‘super colonies’ across Florida. Here’s where they’ve been found
A longtime invasive ant has been making the rounds in Florida over the past few decades. And with summer coming up, it’s prime season for these ants to spread.
‘Christ of the Abyss:’ Jesus can be found on Florida’s seabed. How’d he get there?
A large, bronze statue of Jesus Christ sits in one of Florida’s state parks. But you’ll have to search the seafloor to find it.
How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise you
Despite their cute appearance, these animals are incredibly dangerous. The FWC lists how many people have been killed by gators in Florida since 1948.