Dog Trainer Endures ‘Horror’ Of Mistaken Identity

by Patricia Collier

Stephen King - the dog trainer, not the author - has lived for the past two years in the midst of a nightmare scenario that sounds like part of the latter’s latest plot of terror.

Because of an article in UK’s Dog World in 2001, this highly respectable dog trainer has been confused with yet another Stephen King, also a dog trainer, but one who is a convicted animal abuser.

Stephen Geoffrey King is an expert in animal behavior, a founding member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the owner of pet books outlet Crosskeys Select.

Stephen Barry King, on the other hand, had been reported to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). In its December 2001 issue, Dog World published a story entitled "Concern Over Dog Training Methods," which cited a number of allegations that Stephen King had abused and traumatized dogs in his care.

For the past two years, the public couldn’t tell the difference between the two names, distinguishable only by different middle names, which are not always used in advertising or articles.

Stephen Geoffrey King and his wife Josie filed a libel lawsuit against Dog World when his reputation and business began suffering from the media exposure.

The legal battle ended October 13 when Dog World agreed the article had caused confusion and said it would compensate Stephen Geoffrey King for his loss.

"I am delighted that my name has been cleared," Stephen Geoffrey King said after the proceedings. "To be labeled an abuser of animals is, for me, the worst of all insults. I have devoted my life’s work to ensuring that animals are treated kindly and trying to save animals’ lives."

King said the past couple of years had been extremely hard on him, his family and his business.

"I hope that we will now be able to get back to normal and carry on the work we love," he said.

King’s attorney, Carolyn Jones of the Richards Butler law firm, said her client had been under enormous stress from people associating him with allegations of abusing animals in an article that had nothing to do with him in the first place.

"Stephen has a real love of animals and the suggestion that he has not treated them kindly is devastating personally for him," Jones said. "We are very happy for Stephen and his family that this ordeal is finally coming to an end."

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.