North Las Vegas police say authorities are investigating multiple complaints after video of a dog trainer holding a baseball bat at Off Leash K9 Training went viral.
A Las Vegas dog training company says they have parted ways with a veteran dog trainer after video surfaced of him using a baseball bat to control a dog with a history of biting people.
The video was obtained by 13 Investigates and it shows Willie Harrell, connected to
Las Vegas Off Leash K9 Training in late 2017 or 2018.
The video is approximately 2 minutes long and begins with Harrell holding a leash of a whimpering male Doberman.
The video shows Harrell appearing to threaten the dog with the bat while using obscenities and issuing commands.
Out of the camera's video, the dog appears to yelp multiple times when Harrell approaches.
The video has been viewed and shared thousands of times on social media as of Tuesday.
13 Investigates contacted Harrell late Tuesday night and he said the dog in the video had a history of biting people and was scheduled to be put down.
"Am I sorry the video came out, yes and no," said Harrell by phone.
"Yes, because it puts me in a different light, no because the reason that bat was in my hand is what happened prior, that dog kept coming at me," explained Harrell.
Harrell said the bat was the nearest object to him in case he needed to defend himself.
Harrell said he may have used inappropriate methods but feels he saved the dog's life.
According to Harrell, the dog was unharmed and now lives in Montana.
www.ktnv.com
