Two New Contract Suits Bite the Dog Whisperer

Cesar Millan has a prodigious ability to calm, train or re-condition even the most difficult of canines.  On the National Geographic Channel's show -- The Dog Whisperer -- Mr. Millan needs only a half hour television slot to mesmerize the most aggressive dogs into submission.  However, of the air, Mr. Millan has been bitten by two separate breach of contract actions, both filed this week.  One was brought by his former publicist, claiming breach of contract, copyright infringement and breach of confidential relationship, based on the allegation that the publicist originally conceived of the name "Dog Whisperer" for Millan.  The second action was brought by an owner who claims his dog, Gator, suffered serious injuries while in Mr. Millan's care.  In that suit, Gator's owner seeks more than $25,000 in damages based on, among other theories, breach of contract, fraud, animal cruelty and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

[Meredith R. Miller]