August 14, 2012: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Jamie Buehrle with Slater, her family's Pit Bull.

Decades-Old Pit Bull Ban Could Be Lifted in Miami

New Pit Bulls have not been allowed to live in Florida’s Miami-Dade county since 1989, when a ban against the breed took affect following some tragic attacks. Today, however, county residents will go to the polls to decide whether to repeal the ban. Breed advocates, who see the law as discrimination, are asking voters to overturn it. That includes Miami Marlins pitcher Mark Buehrle and his wife, Jamie, whose dog, Slater, has become the face of the movement. After Buehrle signed with the Marlins, the family had to find a home outside of Miami-Dade in order to keep Slater. — Read it at NBC Miami

Record-Breaking Python Captured in the Everglades

The largest Burmese python ever found in Florida was caught in Everglades National Park last week. The 17-foot, 7-inch snake was carrying 87 eggs, which is also believed to be a record. "This thing is monstrous, it's about a foot wide," said Kenneth Krysko of the Florida Museum of Natural History. — Read it at AFP, and learn about how EcoDogs work to sniff out pythons

New Study Looks at How Sticky Gecko Feet Work

According to new findings from the University of Akron in Ohio, geckos start to lose their grip as surfaces become wetter. The key to the creatures’ amazing sticking abilities lies in the microscopic bristles found on the base of their toes. In the study, scientists attached tiny harnesses to the lizards. When the harnesses were pulled back, the geckos struggled to maintain their grip on slick surfaces. — Read it at the Huffington Post

A new video captures up-close footage of dolphins swimming underwater.

Amazing Underwater Footage Shows Dolphins Swimming

A breathtaking video posted online by albacore tuna fisherman Mark Peters offers an up-close view of a pod of dolphins swimming together off the coast of Santa Cruz, Calif. The good stuff starts about a minute and 50 seconds into the video, dubbed "The Blue." — Watch it on Vimeo

Photos Prove There's a Mountain Lion Roaming in an L.A. Park

After years of sporadic reports of mountain lion sightings in Griffith Park, in the heart of Los Angeles, scientists finally have photographic proof: The researchers captured images of a single mountain lion, known as P-22, but they don’t consider him to be a threat to humans. — Read it at the LA Times

Dalmatian Adopts a Spotted Lamb in Australia

A Dalmatian on an Aussie farm has taken in an orphaned lamb born with white fur and black spots. "It seemed to be quite a natural thing for her to pick this up and have something to mother,” said the dog’s owner. — See the photo at People Pets