Los Angeles ― An employee’s daughter has claimed that Dog Whisperer star Cesar Millan’s pitbull had attacked her and the dog trainer is fighting back.
A former elite gymnast, Lidia Mattis filed a lawsuit claiming that Millan’s dog Junior severely injured her in an attack in 2017.
Based on a report by TMZ, Mattis said she was visiting her mother at Millan’s office when she encountered the unsupervised and unleashed dog, who then proceeded to repeatedly bite her on the legs.
Mattis said that she was left “wounded and disfigured” and was unable to continue competitive gymnastics. According to her, to this day, she continues to “suffer physical and emotional pain.”
The former gymnast also claimed that Millan knew about Junior’s violent tendencies and that he had previously bitten others and mauled several dogs, including Queen Latifah’s dog.
Had my first training session for my new babies with @cesarmillan! Already learning So much!!! pic.twitter.com/jM0LcdJshB
— Queen Latifah (@IAMQUEENLATIFAH) January 14, 2018
According to the lawsuit, Millan tried to cover up the dog’s death by telling his staff that they were to tell the actress that her dog was hit and killed by a car. In the meantime, Millan said that Mattis only went public with her claims this month because he refused to pay her the $850,000 she was demanding, reported Buzzfeed.
“This incident occurred over 4 years ago. Two weeks ago, Ms. Mattiss’ counsel sent a letter demanding that Mr. Millan pay her $850,000 — or she would be going ‘to the press.’ Mr. Millan refused to respond to this threat, and this interview is the result,” Cesar’s rep told People.
In addition, the statement went on to list Millan’s accolades such as calling him the “world’s most prominent dog training expert” and crediting him with helping “thousands of behaviorally troubled animals.” Millan’s rep also said that Mattis was “well aware of this” while visiting Millan’s training facility and “repeatedly returned to his property and ranch after the incident.”
Regarding the accusations about Queen Latifah’s dog, Millan’s rep says that the accusation is “a blatant lie”.
Millan also reportedly filed an answer to the lawsuit claiming that Mattis “assumed the risk of being bitten because she knew of the danger” and that she was “negligent,” although he did not say how. The lawsuit is still ongoing. /TISG