Posted Oct 20th 2006 4:52PM by TMZ Staff
World-renowned dog trainer Cesar Millan is taking some serious heat for methods used on his hit show "Dog Whisperer." The American Humane Association recently deemed some of Millan's techniques "inhumane, outdated and improper." Now, as the show gets ready to launch its third season, TMZ has learned that the widely respected organization tried to get the show pulled from the air.
The group claims they were forced to take action after witnessing "numerous inhumane training techniques" on the show, including one instance where they claim a dog was partially asphyxiated after it was pinned to the ground by its neck. "We wanted National Geographic to pull the show" Bill Torgerson, Vice President of Animal Protection Services for American Humane Association, tells TMZ.
But the National Geographic Channel stands behind their star, claming that owners of several of the allegedly "abused" animals contacted them and praised Cesar for his work. When contacted by TMZ, the channel pointed out that the show has received a seal of approval from multiple respected professionals and animal organizations.
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Filed under: TV, Celebrity Feuds
Tags: cesar millan, CesarMillan, dog whisperer, DogWhisperer
Posted Jan 13th 2006 11:24AM by TMZ Staff
When Cesar Millan, star of 'The Dog Whisperer' on the National Geographic Channel, called into the TMZ office for his interview, he was at an event... at a PETCO. You can't make this stuff up.
Millan, a dog "behaviorist," came to national prominence when he appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' last season. "Ten million people got to see me on her show," Cesar tells TMZ. "So then they realized, 'This guy can help Oprah, he can help me.'"
Cesar has worked with all sorts of people; even celebrities including Will Smith, Hillary Duff, and Vin Diesel. Cesar tells TMZ that being a celebrity doesn't matter to a dog: "One thing that they all have in common is that their dogs don't know they're celebrities."
What, German Shepherds don't watch 'Independence Day'?
But on tonight's (Jan. 13) episode of 'The Dog Whisperer,' Cesar helps a woman who works with the mentally challenged apply her skills with people to dogs, too. "She was doing great things with her clients, and she didn't see them as disabled; she just told them what to do," Millan explained. "And they did. But she wasn't doing the same thing with her dog."
Be sure to check out 'The Dog Whisperer' Fridays at 8PM on the National Geographic Channel, and look for Cesar's book ('Cesar's Way') to hit bookstores on April 4.
Filed under: TV, Oprah
Tags: cesar millan, CesarMillan
