‘Dog Whisperer’ Cesar Millan Under Investigation For Alleged Animal Cruelty [Video]
Famed “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan, whose name has been virtually synonymous with the rehabilitation of problem pooches for many years now, is now under investigation for some of his methods, according to a report by celebrity news and gossip site TMZ. The outlet reports that L.A. County Animal Control was dispatched to Millan’s dog psychology center on Thursday evening following an influx of complaints regarding a scene on a recent episode of the television show Cesar 911.
In the above-noted scene, a dog is shown attacking a pig and the disturbing spectacle caused concern to many viewers. In a clip posted online, Millan attempts to encourage a dog named Simon to coexist with its owner’s pet pigs and the dog turns on one of the animals, biting it on the ear and drawing blood. The pig can be heard squealing in pain before Millan succeeds in restraining the dog. Animal Control officials would reportedly like to question Cesar Millan about the pig’s current whereabouts and state of health.
Nat Geo WILD, the network which broadcasts Cesar 911, has issued a statement about the controversial episode in which they announced their support for Cesar Millan.
“It is important to clarify that Cesar took precautions, such as putting Simon on a long lead to assess his behavior, before making initial corrections and removing the leash. The pig that was nipped by Simon was tended to immediately afterward, healed quickly and showed no lasting signs of distress.”
The network also posted an additional scene from the episode, which apparently provides more “context” for the situation.
“As the additional clip reveals, Cesar and his animal pack effectively helped Simon to overcome his aggressive behavior toward other animals; as a result, Simon did not have to be separated from his owner or euthanized.”
Although Cesar Millan’s “Dog Whisperer” public persona has garnered a devoted and affectionate fan base, the celebrity dog psychologist has fallen under scrutiny in the past. In 2015, he was sued by a woman who claimed she was attacked by a pit bull that was “prematurely released” from Millan’s rehabilitation program. The incident happened the year prior, just six days after the dog’s discharge from Millan’s facility. A report by the Los Angeles Times indicated that the victim reported suffering “disfiguring open wounds, deep muscle and tendon lacerations” and bone fractures in the alleged attack.
Millan was also sued in 2006 by a former client who alleged that staff at the celebrity’s training facility caused extensive injuries to his dog by choking the animal with a collar and forcing the animal to walk on a treadmill. According to a report from the Today Show, documents filed by the pet owner claimed that he was contacted by Millan’s staff and advised that the dog had been taken to a hospital, where he later found the dog “bleeding from his mouth and nose, in an oxygen tent gasping for breath and with severe bruising to his back inner thighs.” The matter was later settled out of court.
TMZ notes that no criminal charges have been filed against Cesar Millan regarding the recent pig incident, adding that a district attorney will review the findings of Animal Control officers and decide whether or not any further action is warranted.
[Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images]
