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A standard grooming appointment at a PetSmart turned into an emergency crisis -- one that resulted in the death of a pooch ... according to a new lawsuit.

AJ Ross is suing the pet store retailer over the 2020 death of her poodle, Kobe -- which happened after she dropped off her pooch for a nail clipping at a PetSmart in Pittsburgh, PA.

In the lawsuit, she lays blame directly at the feet of the store's employees -- and adds, the store's own surveillance video is the most compelling evidence supporting her case.

The footage is tough to watch. You see Ross drop the dog off with the staff, having already placed a muzzle on its mouth, and then leave. The workers then take it to the back and lift it onto a table.

That's where things get wild ... it appears the employees put 2 different harnesses around Kobe's neck -- one from the top and one from the bottom -- seemingly to keep the dog in place while they try to work on its paws.

Kobe thrashes around, and they eventually tip the poodle over on its side for easier access ... at least that's what Ross claims in her suit.

Soon enough, the dog goes limp and the workers try waking it up, to no avail. Ross says when she returned a mere 10 minutes later, she discovered her dog was dead -- and she believes the way the PetSmart employees harnessed Kobe during the nail clipping caused the dog to lose consciousness and die.

According to documents, Ashley claims PetSmart has allowed this to happen to other pets over the years -- upwards of 47 have allegedly been killed by PetSmart groomers since 2009 -- and now she wants damages.

A rep for PetSmart tells TMZ ... "All of us are heartbroken by and truly sorry for the loss of Kobe. Following this terrible accident in 2020, we immediately launched an internal investigation and cooperated with the authorities involved. In response, we terminated the associates who violated our pet safety policies and did not meet our high standards of care."

A Taco Bell manager poured scalding water on two customers who complained that the restaurant got their order wrong, sending them to the hospital with serious burns, this according to a recently filed lawsuit.

In their $1 million suit, Plaintiffs Brittany Davis and her niece, a minor identified only as C.T., claim they pulled up to a drive-thru at a Taco Bell in Dallas and placed a $31 order, but they didn't get what they wanted.

So they circled through the drive-thru 2 more times to rectify the situation, but the employee was having none of it.

The pair then allegedly parked their vehicle and tried to walk inside the fast-food joint, but it was already closed. An employee unlocked the door, allowing them to enter.

After the two asked for their order to be corrected, one of the workers allegedly challenged C.T. to a fight before the manager appeared, holding a bucket of piping hot water.

The manager then doused C.T.'s face with the boiling water, which splashed the chests of both plaintiffs, according to the suit filed July 13 by prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

Luckily, the two were able to escape before they could be attacked again by Taco Bell staff, who laughed and clapped as they drove away, the suit claims.

Davis says she suffered deep burns to her chest and stomach along with brain injuries, which have caused at least 10 seizures. C.T. says she sustained discoloring and scarring burns to her face, chest, legs, arms and stomach.

Dallas PD is investigating the incident, which occurred on June 17.

Crump tells TMZ ... "Not only did Brittany and C.T. Suffer physical trauma because of the burns but they will now live with the psychological trauma that comes with an attack like this. Corporations have a duty to employ quality and stable employees who hold safety as the highest priority.”

We reached out to Taco Bell ... so far no word back.

A 22-year-old man suffered a gruesome death on his Mykonos vacay when he was struck by helicopter blades ... and authorities looking into it think it could be a case of a photo op gone tragically wrong.

Jack Fenton and his 3 friends were recently getting off their hired black Bell 407 helicopter, coming back from the Greek isle, according to a report from The Sun.

They were taken away from the vehicle and to a private lounge as they waited for a plane to take them back to London, but Jack headed back toward the helicopter at a fast pace ... as others shouted at him to come back.

Witnesses who spoke to Greece’s committee for aviation accidents say he had a phone to his ear as he went toward the back of the helicopter, where the blade was still spinning -- he was stuck in the head, killing him instantly.

Those who saw the incident could only describe it as "horrifying. The pilot of the helicopter, who was "deeply traumatized," was arrested ... along with 2 ground technicians.

Cops are looking into every possibility, which reportedly includes "the possibility of the boy going there to take a selfie in the excitement of the moment."

Lana Del Rey claims she has a stalker on her hands, one that's very interested in her car as well -- this according to LDR herself, who just got court-ordered protection against this guy.

The singer was granted a temporary restraining order in Los Angeles County, where she claims she's been getting harassed by some guy named Eric Everardo -- who she says has visited her home on at least 2 occasions ... and allegedly jacked a vehicle there too.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Lana says Everardo first visited her residence without permission in February of this year ... when she claims he made off with one of her rides, a Jaguar, and was eventually criminally charged for that.

That wasn't the end of it though. Lana goes on to claim Everardo came back to her crib earlier this month and left a bag at her gate with a disturbing letter inside relaying his desire to see her again. LDR claims he also texted her sister a couple times between February and July, but it's unclear how he got her number.

In any case, Lana says she doesn't know this man and fears for her safety, and the safety of her family members. A judge signed off on the TRO and set a hearing on the matter for next month.

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Sheree Whitfield has a new man in her life ... and he's a fellow reality TV star.

Sources in the know tell TMZ ... Sheree is dating Martell Holt from "Love & Marriage Huntsville" and they've been seeing each other for a little over two months.

As you see, Sheree and Martell are at that point ... taking cutsie selfies together. They're not yet Instagram official ... for what that's worth.

We got Sheree at Beauty Box MD in Sandy Springs, GA where she said she met Martell through mutual friends and already feels comfortable enough to introduce him to some of her pals and even a few family members.

Sheree says Martell's helping her build her clothing line, She by Sheree, which she's wearing in the clip and is planning to unveil on the 'RHOA' finale.

Brittney Griner spoke with a media member on Tuesday for the first time since she was arrested back in February in Russia ... saying she had "no complaints" about her detention and adding that she wanted to wish her wife "good luck on the bar exam."

Griner -- who was back in court Tuesday for yet another hearing in her drug case -- spoke with an ABC News producer from behind bars inside the Moscow courtroom.

The outlet recorded the conversation, and in the audio, you can hear Griner calmly send the message to Cherelle Griner (who's been studying to become a lawyer) -- while adding she's "just waiting patiently" for a resolution in her drug case.

Brittney held up a photo of Cherelle minutes before the chat with the reporter. She also wore a sweatshirt that had "Black Lives Are Loved" written on it.

During the hearing, according to Reuters, Griner's legal team argued the WNBA star had used medical cannabis to help deal with her injuries -- and was not using the drug recreationally.

As we reported, Griner has pled guilty to charges that she brought hashish oil in her luggage to a Moscow airport back in February -- though she said she had no intention of breaking Russian law.

For "Shahs of Sunset" star Mike Shouhed, 13 is especially unlucky -- that's the number of criminal charges he's now facing following his domestic violence arrest.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the Los Angeles City Attorney hit Mike with a slew of misdemeanor charges, most notably domestic violence, battery and unlawfully attempting to dissuade a witness.

Mike's also facing a couple of weapons charges ... including criminal storage of a loaded firearm and possession of an assault weapon.

Remember, Mike was arrested back in March for allegedly getting physical with a woman during a fight. Cops did not identify the alleged victim, and it's unclear if Mike's fiancée, Paulina Ben-Cohen, was involved. The new charging docs do not name the alleged victim either.

TMZ broke the story ... Mike and Paulina went to Los Cabos for vacation only a few weeks after his arrest, with Mike showing lots of love to Paulina's kids during a day at the beach.

Mike and Paulina, who have been engaged since 2019, are still together.

One of Ukraine's Olympic heroes is putting on his cape again by sacrificing his gymnastic silver medal in order to help his country fend off the Russian invaders.

Ruslan Mezentsev put his medal -- earned during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney -- on the auction block, and TMZ Sports has learned it's now sold for $14,438.

Bidding just ended on July 21, and as we first reported ... Ruslan had pledged to donate all the money to Ukraine, to help fund his homeland's war efforts against Russia. We're told the auction house even donated the buyer's premium.

The now 41-year-old Olympian was a member of his country's men's team when they competed in the all-around competition back in 2000. Ruslan participated in the floor exercise, pommel horse, and still rings.

Ultimately, he helped his team take home the silver medal by scoring 28.725 and bringing the team's total 230.306. The Ukrainians finished just 1.613 points behind China, which won the gold medal.

Now, that silver medal is in the hands of an anonymous bidder ... and Ruslan, who is originally from a town called Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine, is giving all the coins back to his country as the war continues.

Danny Garcia has an edge over José Benavidez that cannot be matched, no matter how many miles he runs, or rounds he spars ... the former world champ was born with an extra toe, and that's all the advantage he needs!

Sure, Danny's totally kidding ... but this is an excuse to talk about one of our favorite clips ever.

If you haven't seen it, back in 2015, the 36-3 welterweight took off his Jordan's and literally proved he had an extra digit on his foot.

So, when we recently talked to Danny, we asked the 34-year-old about the toe ... in addition to a bunch of serious questions about returning after a lengthy layoff, and whether Garcia can once again be champ.

"I'm gonna keep showing it off because when I was a kid, I was ashamed of it," Danny said, adding, "Now, I'm somebody. That six-toe brought me a long way."

And, perhaps the extra appendage has actually helped in some way ... "I've never been knocked down!"

All jokes aside, Garcia says he's ready for 30-year-old Benavidez (27-1-1) ... and understands there are doubters considering his last match was a loss to Errol Spence in 2020. But, Danny says he's as fast and strong as ever, and he's ready to rock.

"It was tough in the beginning but the way I've been sparring, the way I've been training, the way I've been running ... everything is stronger and faster," Garcia said.

"I didn't lose a step. I feel great!"

So, with the boxing skills and physical advantage, Garcia says Benavidez is gonna need a little more help to beat him come July 30 at the Barclays Center (on Showtime).

"I already got the advantage. I got an extra body part. He's gonna need an extra arm to beat me."

Comedian and actress Hana Mae Lee was 23 years old when she was cast as Lilly Onakuramara -- the beatboxing Bella who barely speaks in her college acapella group -- in the 2012 rom-com 'Pitch Perfect.'

Hana shared the Pitch Perfect trilogy stage with fellow Barden Bellas Anna Kendrick as the rebellious and talented Bella, Beca, Rebel Wilson as the confident and encouraging Bella, Fat Amy, Brittany Snow as the caring and affectionate Bella, Chloe, Anna Camp as the uptight and conservative Bella, Aubrey and Elizabeth Banks as one of the sarcastic commentators, Gail.

BTS fans finally have their chance to live just like their favorite boy band ... the house the K-Pop superstars once called home is now available for a once-in-a-lifetime overnight stay.

Airbnb is giving two lucky fans the chance to rest their heads in the same house the group lived in while filming season 2 of "IN THE SOOP BTS" in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The homes got plenty of features to make sure none of BTS' seven members ever got bored, and guests will be able to enjoy them as well ... including an outdoor pool with a unicorn-shaped float, a basketball court, a karaoke machine, and sound system and all of BTS hit tracks and albums.

Guests won't go hungry either ... with catered dishes that have been BTS approved -- including charcoal grilled Korean beef, which the boy band dubbed, "the best taste in the universe."

Airbnb will offer the one-night stay in a raffle next month with entries at $7 a pop -- in honor of the 7 members of the band.

Country music icon Hank Williams Jr.'s late wife, Mary Jane Thomas, died from a collapsed lung -- and it happened just one day after she'd gone under the knife.

Mary Jane's death is being classified as an accident according to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner, who says she suffered the fatal injury during a cosmetic procedure.

The Medical Examiner says Mary Jane underwent liposuction on her back, arms and stomach, and had her breast implants removed during the March 21 surgery.

The M.E. says she suddenly became unresponsive the following day, and she died.

TMZ broke the story ... Hank's wife of over 30 years died March 22 in Jupiter, FL, and a family member said the early indication was she'd suffered a complication from surgery.

That initial theory seems to be at least close to the truth. Mary Jane's plastic surgeon, Dr. Harold Bafitis, told the ME he was about to see her for a follow-up visit in her hotel room when she suddenly became unresponsive while sitting up in bed.

Shaquille O'Neal's son, Shareef, is continuing to work towards his dreams of making it to the NBA one day -- he just signed a 6-figure contract with the G League.

22-year-old Shareef will play for the Ignite -- a developmental team based in Nevada, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Shareef took to Twitter to express how pumped he was about the opportunity, writing, "VEGAS LETS DO IT !! Thank you, ignite !"

Specifics of the deal have yet to be disclosed ... but it means the young hooper is getting another shot at improving his game after teaming up with the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League team this season.

Shareef averaged 4.5 points per game when he got playing time, and was efficient when he touched the rock ... shooting 60% from the field.

Shareef has plenty of people rooting for him ... like former Lakers head coach Byron Scott, who believes if he cleans up a few things in his game, he can play in the NBA like his father.

"I think he looked a little bit out of place," Scott said of O'Neal's Summer League play. "He wasn’t ready. I think he still has a little ways to go. I think the talent is there. Obviously, the athleticism is there."

Britney Spears is officially back in the studio, joining forces with Elton John for a remake of one of his greatest hits ... TMZ has confirmed.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... the two artists linked up on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week to record a new rendition of EJ's "Tiny Dancer."

We're told the song is currently still being mixed. Page Six, which broke the story, reports Britney and Elton actually met up in person at a Beverly Hills studio to cut the song -- and that it's due out through Universal Music in August. Andrew Watt is said to be the overseeing producer. We're told it will be released within a month.

Of course, this is huge news ... as it would mark Britney's official comeback to the music industry -- this after being released from the conservatorship and regaining her freedom.

BS has signaled she wants to get back to work, but has also been taking her time readjusting to a normal life ... and also getting married, among other life adventures. As fans of hers know, Britney still very much has song and dance running through her veins.

She constantly records herself at her home doing new choreography and routines -- and recently, we've heard her clear out her pipes with an oldie-but-goodie song of her own.

Congratulations are in order for Bre Tiesi -- the model and Nick Cannon just welcomed their baby son to the world!!

Tiesi -- Johnny Manziel's ex-wife -- announced the news on Monday ... saying it was an at-home, unmedicated birth.

"This was the most humbling / limit pushing yet awakening and completely empowering experience," Tiesi said on Instagram.

"This experience has changed me forever and I couldn’t of asked for a more amazing and supportive partner. Daddy showed the f up for us ... I couldn’t of (sic) done it without you. 💙 I can’t believe he’s here 🤗."

This is Cannon's eighth child and Tiesi's first.

NC addressed the news in Tiesi's comments ... saying, "You never cease to amaze me!! Full of passion, drive, focus, brilliance and most importantly love!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️."

"Honored and privileged to experience this beautiful miracle with you! Thank you for the greatest gift any human can give to another. For this my love is forever indebted."

We broke the story ... Nick and Bre went public with the pregnancy back in January, announcing at a baby shower they were having a baby boy.

Manziel -- who was married to Tiesi from 2018-2021 -- has yet to speak out on the baby's birth ... but his sister, Meri, liked Bri's post, so we're assuming he's heard the news.

Paul Sorvino, famous for his work in "Goodfellas," has died at the age of 83 ... TMZ has learned.

Sorvino's rep, Roger Neal, tells us he died this morning with his wife Dee Dee by his side. Dee Dee says, "Our hearts are broken, there will never be another Paul Sorvino, he was the love of my life, and one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen and stage.”

Paul appeared in nearly 50 movies during a long career in Hollywood, and he's best known for playing mobster Paul Cicero in the 1990 Martin Scorsese masterpiece, "Goodfellas."

He also played Henry Kissinger in the 1995 movie "Nixon" and Fulgencio Capulet in 1996's "Romeo + Juliet." Paul made his film debut in 1970 with "Where's Poppa?" and also acted in TV shows like "Law & Order" and on Broadway.

One of Paul's last roles was the TV show "Godfather of Harlem," where he played Frank Costello.

Sorvino was born and raised in Brooklyn ... his father was an immigrant from Italy. Paul wanted to be an Opera singer before getting into acting while studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

Paul lived with severe asthma, mastering different breathing techniques to manage his condition, writing a best-selling book, "How to Become a Former Asthmatic," and starting the Sorvino Asthma Foundation.

He has 3 children, including Oscar winning actress Mira Sorvino and actor/producer Michael Sorvino.

Mira is one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers and the last time we saw Paul, he was pretty pissed with HW.

He was 83.