'Dog Whisperer' Guilty Of Having Martial Arts Weapon

An award-winning self-styled ‘Dog Whisperer’ caught with a martial arts weapon failed to dodge the charge yesterday by claiming he needed it to ward off “vicious” pooches.

On his professional profile Bruce Clanford, 46, describes himself as: “the ONLY qualified and registered Dog Whisperer in the World!”

He told police when taken into custody for having the wooden baton - known as a ‘Tonfa’ - : “I took it out years ago when I was dealing with vicious dogs.

“I am a genuine, harmless guy, a pillar of the community. I am a Dog Whisperer.”

Clanford, of West Road, Emsworth, Hampshire, who graduated from the University of Greenwich with a degree in Animal Behaviour and Ethology, was stopped by police for parking on a double yellow line.

When officers searched his blue Mitsubishi Lancer they found the foot-and-a-half long weapon by the drivers’ seat.

He did not appear for his trial at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, where he was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon in Bristow Road, Sutton on March 3.

Clanford is the Managing Director of Dog Whisperer World and a registered therapist specialising in aggression; barking; anxiety; separation issues; pulling on the lead and recall.

He charges £75 for one-on-one dog counselling and other services are available on application on a base-by-case basis.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and police may pick him up when collecting his 2021 gong for ‘Dog Behaviour Specialist of the Year’ at the Prestige Awards for small businesses, hosted by Corporate LiveWire.

PC Julie Mustart told the trial there were suspicions concerning Clanford’s female passenger and the vehicle was subjected to a drugs search.

No illegal substances were found.

However, the martial arts baton was found lying next to the drivers’ seat and Clanford told police at the roadside: “I didn’t know it was a problem. I do training.”

PC Mustart told the court: “He’s a dog trainer, he said. Quite well-known as a dog behaviourist.”

Clanford claimed in his police interview he did not even known the baton was by his side and had just transferred all of his property from an old car into this new one.

He claimed to have brought it with him once to treat an aggressive Rottweiler, who had hospitalised four members of the same family.

“I have scars and scratches on my arms from when I have handled vicious dogs.

“It is what I have done for twenty years and I thought it would aid my protection when dealing with vicious dogs and would save my arms.”

However the magistrates ruled Clanford had no lawful reason to have the weapon in public and convicted him.