Logan Skrzypek ‘27, Copy Editor
During a live broadcast streamed on Twitch on Jan. 18, streamer and Chicago rapper Aspen Kartier (legal name Aspen Easterling) was filming in her bedroom when her three-month-old Maltipoo puppy escaped a cage behind her, prompting her to react angrily in front of thousands of viewers. She stormed out of her chair and dragged the puppy off camera toward a bed, where audio captures the puppy yelping and being bluntly struck against the bed by Kartier, lasting roughly a minute. She then lifted the puppy by the collar and removed it from the room, continuing the livestream as if nothing had occurred. Video footage recorded from the livestream spread rapidly across social media, where speculations and controversy from viewers and local police emerged.
Two days following the incident, Kartier was arrested under animal-cruelty charges, facing up to one year in jail. Officers confiscated the puppy, luckily in good condition, to be monitored by the local county animal control. The incident drew attention from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Organization (PETA), which prompted police action. Kartier denied all allegations, claiming the situation was “heavily overexaggerated,” even as viewers expressed concern for the puppy’s health and the violent actions heard in the clip. Some viewers, however, defended her claim online. Twitch staff responded by banning Kartier from the platform until she is released from police custody, a response that garnered positive circulation among viewers.
The rising animal abuse crises across the state of Michigan mirror this incident, adding another layer to the controversy. Animal cruelty cases in Michigan have risen more than 50 percent in the last four years, according to Michigan State Police data. Coincidingly, the FBI also reports that Michigan’s animal cruelty and neglect cases are up more than 50 percent statewide in the same period. Linking to these statistics, journalist Autumn Picture on wwmt.com shares, “Shelters and rescue organizations across Michigan are being strained by the surge in cruelty cases, with rising intakes and limited sources.”
Veterinarians in Michigan report that “a month has not gone by” without new abuse or neglect cases, as at least 20 different cases occur per month on average; the problem is only getting worse. Similarly, based on police data by Michigan State Police, Northeast Michigan saw a 50 percent increase in reported animal abuse cases between 2022 and 2024 alone, mirroring the statewide trend.
As the Kartier controversy spread online, PETA responded to a video of officers appearing to rescue the puppy, and users on X and TikTok began sharing information. Local shelter workers confirmed the puppy was safe and secure by police, as PETA awarded the local department a Compassionate Police Department Award for their swift action and professionalism in ensuring the puppy’s safety. Meanwhile, TikTok users continued writing and voicing their opinions about the case, fueling a controversy that continued to grow.
One anonymous user wrote, “I watched the clip and felt sick to my stomach. You can hear the puppy screaming, and she just keeps going like it is nothing.” They added, “The fact that she tried to brush it off on social media afterward makes this situation even worse. If this is how she acts on camera, imagine what happens when she is not streaming. Another user wrote, “People defend influencers way too fast. If anyone else hit a dog like that, nobody would be calling it ‘overreacting’. Fame should not give you a free pass to abuse an animal.” With so many voices weighing in on the incident, the situation highlighted just how significant animal abuse awareness has begun over the past few years.
Animal abuse is a serious issue on a national level, and the rise in cases in Michigan is extremely concerning. While social media can bring attention to important issues, it can also create misinformation and sparks of drama online. The incident involving the puppy is just one example of how quickly a moment like this can become a topic of public debate.
In the end, animal abusers can assume many negative perspectives from viewers of one incident, especially ones that are broadcasted to the entire internet. That kind of reach allows social media to create false narratives which can overshadow actions that could have been prevented. The puppy at the center of this case became an example of how easily online attention can simply distort a situation, leaving the real issue—the safety and well-being of an animal—pushed aside. Even when abuse sprouts online, the consequences remain real and, in this case, a puppy unfortunately paid the price.
Lyon Life 