“Dog whisperer” Cesar Millan came under fire lately over allegations of animal cruelty due to an episode of his show aired on National Geographic, where a pig was seen nibbled by a bull terrier with aggression problems.
Advertisement
The investigation showed the dog accidentally escaped Millan’s control, and people present instantly captured the dog, attended to the pig and called in a veterinarian, who found there was no need for treatment, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Jacobs wrote in a case evaluation statement.
Millan’s attorney, Brian Klein, said his client cooperated fully with the investigation.
“I am pleased but not surprised by this news – our animal handling procedures are safe and humane”. He stated that he and his team “are 100 percent dedicated to the proper care of all animals, including the farm pig in this case”.
Animal Control officers who visited Millan’s Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, California, in March, noted that Millan took precautions to ensure that the pig would not be harmed before he allowed Simon to interact with the pig. The clip had angered animal rights activists and sparked an online petition calling for the show to be canceled.
The widely known 46-year-old dog trainer became famous thanks to his Dog Whisperer TV show, which has been broadcast around the world.
Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic Authorities won’t bring animal cruelty charges against Cesar Millan.
Vicki Dawe Flyball via YouTube Millan released French bulldog Simon into a yard full of pigs. The dog reportedly bit the pig in the ear, drawing blood.
The pig was immediately treated and showed no lasting sign of distress.
Officials with county Animal Care and Control could not be reached for immediate comment. According to Nat Geo, Simon has been attacking other animals, including its owner’s pot-bellied pigs.
The investigators examined the full clip “several times”.
This was proven in a follow-up segment of the same episode as Simon is seen co-existing peacefully with a group of animals, including pigs and a chicken.
Advertisement
Animal services officials were flooded with tips following the airing of an episode in which a live pig used as part of a training session with a dog that had previously attacked two pet pigs.
