Cesar Millan, the ‘Dog Whisperer’, is cleared of animal cruelty after French bulldog bites pig

Cesar Millan, better known as the “Dog Whisperer” on National Geographic, has never had a shortage of creative tactics for reforming canine behaviour.

But none of them has sparked more controversy than the one he employed during a February 26 “Cesar 911” episode, when he used a terrified potbellied pig to teach an unruly French bulldog named Simon behavioural lessons.

Simon - who had a history of killing pigs - bit the pig’s ear during a training session led by Millan, drawing blood, and later the outrage of animal welfare activists.

Sheriff’s deputies with Los Angeles County animal control visited Millan’s Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, California, last month, leading some to wonder whether the man who made a career out of helping animals would instead be formally accused of mistreating them.

Not so, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday, ending speculation that Los Angeles County animal control officials would levy charges against the dog expert.

“After a comprehensive investigation by our officers, we presented a very thorough and complete report to the district attorney’s office, and they were unable to find anything to charge Mr Millan with,” Aaron Reyes, deputy director for animal care and control, told the Times.

“It’s a fair decision.”