‘Dog Whisperer’ Gets Sued in Pit Bull Attack

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Dog Whisperer/Author Cesar Millan Speaks At Route 66 Casino's Legends Theater
Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan poses with his pit bull Junior after his performance at Route 66 Casinos Legends Theater on April 11, 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.Steve Snowden—Getty Images
By Tessa Berenson

Cesar Millan, star of the television show The Dog Whisperer, has found himself at the center of canine controversy after being sued by a woman who claims she was attacked by a pit bull prematurely released from his training facility.

Alison Bitney says the dog inflicted “disfiguring open wounds, deep muscle and tendon lacerations” and bone fractures in the September incident, according to the LA Times. She is seeking punitive damages.

Jen Woodard, the director of Millan’s Dog Psychology Center, said in a statement that Millan had never had contact with the animal. Since the attack, the pit bull has been returned to the center and placed in quarantine.

[LA Times]

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Inside the California Prison Where Inmates Train Rescue Dogs

Jack playing with Shelby after their morning training session.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
Inmate Marcus and a dog called Eddie in cell block A5.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
A dog named Shelby sitting inside an inmate's cell at California State Prison.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
Inmates Jack and Marcus relaxing with dogs in the late afternoon inside cell block A5.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
Inmate Martel with Chuey.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
Salaam greeting Chuey as he arrives in the prison.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
Inmates listening to instructions during a training session in cell block A5.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
Inmate Marcus leaving cell block A5 to walk in the yard with Rendell.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
Travielle sitting in the shade with a dog named Chuey during a break from their training.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
Inmate John feeding a dog named Rendell in his crate in the morning. Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
A dog called Eddie is seen napping in the shade during a break from training.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois
John walking the yard with Rendell on their last day together at the prison.Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois

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Write to Tessa Berenson at tessa.Rogers@time.com