Missouri Dog Trainer Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty After Video Goes Viral

A viral video surfaced in January showing Matt Fiala, a dog trainer from Pleasant Hill, Missouri, who owns Advanced K-9 Training, in a controversial incident. One client claimed that their 5-year-old German Shepherd, Karma, died during a board and train session. They received a photo of Karma, followed by news the next day that Karma had unexpectedly passed away. Matt Fiala ultimately pled guilty, resulting in a $500 fine, 24 months of probation, a ban on owning animals, and a prohibition from running his business in Pleasant Hill. Additionally, he was required to provide proof of a service dog.