'Dog Whisperer' Cesar Millan investigated for possible animal cruelty

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11/AP) - The "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan is under investigation Friday morning for possible animal cruelty.

Animal welfare officials were flooded with tips following an episode of his "Cesar 911" TV show.

Millan apparently used a live pig as part of a training session with a dog.

LA County Sheriff's deputies and animal control went to his dog psychology center in Santa Clarita last night, but he was not there.

"Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan says an online petition that claims he cruelly used a pig to bait an aggressive dog is misguided because the pig was fine and the dog was rehabilitated.

The dog trainer television made famous told The Associated Press on Friday that he has used the same technique to help aggressive canines hundreds of times. The training involves getting the dog together with the animal it doesn't like so the two can learn to get along.

Footage from a recent episode of his TV show "Cesar 911" shows a French bulldog-terrier mix chasing a pot-bellied pig and nipping its ear until it bled. Those images prompted a petition on Change.org.

The complaint led authorities to Millan's Los Angeles-area pet rehabilitation center Thursday, but they took no further action.