The Pauley Perrette “Body Check” and The Dog Bite Fiasco

This remains the most toxic and enduring rumor in Harmon’s history. The 2016 incident where Harmon’s rescue dog, Dave, bit a crew member (requiring 16 stitches) was just the tip of the iceberg. By 2025, more “insider” details surfaced regarding Pauley Perrette’s exit. Perrette allegedly claimed that after she complained to CBS about the dog’s presence, Harmon began a campaign of “silent intimidation.”

The most explosive detail is the “Body Check” rumor: Perrette reportedly told friends that Harmon once physically blocked her path on set and “body-checked” her to assert his dominance as the show’s boss. Harmon has never uttered a single word in his defense, adhering to an “Old Hollywood” code of silence. This lack of a denial has split the industry: half believe Perrette’s claims of a “dangerous workplace,” while the other half believe she had a personal breakdown and targeted Harmon unfairly.