Dog subject of court battle, faked death

PERRYVILLE, MO. » A dog who was the subject of a two-year court battle and a faked death is back with his adopted family in Missouri.

KSDK-TV reports that Jamie Patterson and her seven kids adopted Mack the boxer-mastiff mix from Rough Road Rescue in Perryville in 2015.

It turned out that Mack was quite the escape artist. The last time he wandered off, Rough Road Rescue director Steve Svehla found him and decided to keep him, accusing Patterson of neglect.

A two-year court battle ensued. The courts sided with Patterson.

But instead of handing over Max, Svehla gave Patterson a box of ashes, saying the dog died.

He eventually fessed up to the lie, and gave up the dog.

Svehla is charged with theft for failing to turn over Mack immediately after the case ended.

Mario Batali kicked off ABC amid misconduct allegations

NEW YORK » Celebrity chef Mario Batali has been kicked off ABC’s “The Chew” amid allegations from several women that he touched them inappropriately.

ABC said that while it was not aware of any inappropriate behavior involving him and the show, the network says “we are committed to a safe work environment and his past behavior violates our standards of conduct.”

Batali apologized in a statement Monday, and said that “much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted.” His representative did not return a message seeking comment Friday.

Batali, who has appeared on “The Chew” since its debut six years ago, oversees several restaurants in a handful of cities. The Food Network had planned to relaunch his show “Molto Mario” next year, but said Monday it would be put on hold.