Pauley Perrette Gone From ‘NCIS’ Over Mark Harmon Feud

Pauley Perrette is gone from the mega-successful crime drama "NCIS" after 16 years over a bitter on-set feud — with co-star Mark Harmon insisting on keeping a vicious pit bulldog on the set even after a bloody attack!

That’s the shocking truth behind the actress’ Oct. 2017 announcement that she was leaving her role as quirky crime-lab whiz Abby Sciuto, sources insist. “She doesn’t feel safe on set and she doesn’t want to be around his dog,” The National ENQUIRER learned from an insider. And it’s no wonder!

In October 2016, Mark’s four-year-old rescue pooch, Dave (seen here at lower right), tore into a crew member on the set of the CBS drama about U.S. Navy criminal investigators. The biting left the victim bleeding and in pain from a large gruesome gash that needed a whopping 16 stitches to close, according to sources.

Later, "NCIS" insiders tried to poo-poo Dave’s ferocious assault, saying the set was “dog friendly” to workers’ pooches and the crew member was roughhousing with Mark’s pet when “it became frightened and attacked.” Despite the terrifying incident, “Mark still brings the dog to the set,” notes the source.

“Pauley doesn’t agree with it. She doesn’t think it’s right for Mark to expose anyone else to a possible attack.” The feisty femme felt Harmon “was putting people in danger and was very upset,” says the source. She complained to show bigwigs and to Mark, who’s also a producer of the long-running hit series.

Amazingly, Pauley — an animal rights supporter — was forced out for speaking up, sources charge! “When she said something, Mark and the execs fired back and refused to bend,” says the source. In her departure announcement, Pauley left out a reason, while admitting she “loved” her character, Abby.

She would only say “it was a decision made last year,” which is when the attack occurred. “I hope everyone will love and enjoy EVERYTHING ABBY not only for the rest of this season, but for everything she has given all of us for 16 years,” Pauley added.

While Pauley was through, and announced plans for a bakery business, she agreed to shoot the current season, but only if producers met certain conditions. She refused to shoot scenes with Mark and while his dog was on the set, says the source.

“She was anxious on set and basically said, ‘I am not filming if that dog is here,’ so they agreed to film her and Mark separately,” says the source. “They set her role up where she wouldn’t have to film with Mark and they aren’t even in the same room. So she only films when Mark isn’t around.”

Two-faced show bosses released a statement praising the raven-tressed Pauley, calling her “a valued member of both "NCIS" and the CBS family for over 15 years,” and adding “we respect her decision to leave at the end of the season.”

But sources say the cowardly kingpins caved to their fragile star Mark. “It’s sad Mark sticks up for his dog and won’t stick up for Pauley,” says the source. “It’s like you can’t say anything or you’ll be fired nowadays.”