Why Pauley Perrette had to leave NCIS

Pauley Perrette was a standout in the “NCIS” ensemble cast since its beginnings in 2003, providing light moments as plucky, brilliant, Caf-Pow-fueled forensic scientist Abby Sciuto. It was both a major TV moment and a big career move for Perrette when she left the show in 2018 after more than 350 episodes. Just after her farewell episode aired, Perrette tweeted out the reason why she fled “NCIS;” she reportedly suffered “multiple physical a******s” at work. There was also some animosity and negativity stemming from an incident in 2016 when co-star Mark Harmon brought his pit bull, Dave, to the set.

According to sources that spoke with Radar Online, Dave reportedly bit a member of the crew with such vio*lent intensity that the vi*ctim had to get 16 stitches. The source added that Harmon was “obviously hor*rified” and kept Dave at home after that, except for the one time when he couldn’t find a dog sitter and allowed Dave to hang out in his on-set trailer all day. Perrette was reportedly “furious” that Harmon’s demonstrably dangerous dog was back on the set and “started shouting” when Harmon tried to explain. Sources say Perrette even refused to shoot any scenes with Harmon, and wouldn’t go near him or talk to him.