A Pleasant Hill, Missouri, dog trainer has been fired from his job as a school bus driver and charged with animal cruelty after a video emerged showing him abusing a young German shepherd during training. Matt Fiala, 25, has been charged with animal cruelty and two other misdemeanor charges. The distressing footage, which has been widely shared on social media, depicts Fiala leading the dog on a leash before throwing water in its face, flipping its kennel, and repeatedly slamming the door shut while the dog cries out in pain. Fiala’s actions have drawn condemnation from both the community and law enforcement authorities.
The incident came to light after concerned individuals shared the video, which quickly gained traction online. Police Chief Tommy Wright of the Pleasant Hill Police Department expressed his distress over the footage, stating, It’s tough to watch. It’s tough for us to see that all of us in the police department, all the city employees. It’s a tough video for us to watch. The video’s widespread circulation prompted action from the authorities, who swiftly took steps to address the situation.
Fiala was employed as a school bus driver at a local company, which promptly terminated his employment in response to the video. The bus company expressed shock and dismay, stating in a press release, We can confirm that the individual in the video was employed by our company, and we were appalled to learn about this type of behavior. When we learned of the charges, the employee was immediately suspended and is no longer with the company. Fiala also owned a dog training business called Advanced Canine Training, but the company’s website is no longer active.
Further investigation revealed that Fiala had recently started a new business called Heartland K9 PSA, which focuses on training dogs for competitive obedience and controlled aggression trials in the sport of PSA (Protection Sports Association). State records indicate that Fiala is listed as the registered agent for the business. However, the charges laid against him have jeopardized his professional career and created significant uncertainty surrounding his future ventures.
Matt Fiala is scheduled to appear in court on March 19, where he will face charges of animal cruelty and other misdemeanors. While the dog in question is undoubtedly the victim in this case, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible and humane treatment when it comes to training animals. The shocking video serves as evidence of the need for stricter regulations and enforcement in the realm of animal welfare, ensuring that trainers like Fiala are held accountable for their actions.
As this story unfolds, it will continue to spark discussions surrounding the treatment of animals in training settings. With growing public concern for animal welfare, incidents such as these shed light on the dark underbelly of the industry and the urgent need for reforms. The repercussions for Fiala, both legal and professional, will undoubtedly resonate throughout his community and the broader dog training community at large.
