SPAIN - 2021/10/13: In this photo illustration a Twitch logo seen displayed on a smartphone on top of a computer keyboard. (Photo Illustration by Thiago Prudêncio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Streamer Aspen Kartier is facing widespread backlash after a viral clip from her Twitch livestream appeared to show her hitting her dog. As the video circulated, Twitch banned Aspen from the platform, sparking widespread debate and outrage on social media.
A clip from Aspen Kartiers Twitch livestream began circulating online Thursday morning, quickly drawing attention from viewers across multiple platforms. In the video, Aspen notices her dog outside of its cage and asks, How you get out the cage? Moments later, she grabs the dog and appears to hit it repeatedly while live on stream. Although the dog later moves out of the cameras view, viewers can still hear the animal crying in the background.
Shortly after the clip went viral, Aspens Twitch account was no longer accessible. Multiple reports indicate she was indefinitely suspended from the platform. As of now, Twitch has not publicly confirmed the duration of the suspension or whether the account will be reinstated.
As the clip continued to circulate, social media users flooded comment sections calling for permanent consequences and condemning what they described as animal cruelty. Aspen later addressed the situation on her Instagram Stories, posting a video of her dog while saying, Tell them that youre fine. In another clip, she appeared to throw money onto the dog, a move many viewers interpreted as dismissive.
Hours later, Aspen denied claims that she stomped on the dog, a description reported by some outlets, but acknowledged hitting the animal, referring to the incident as a smack.
In what many viewers viewed as a trolling move, Aspen also uploaded a photo of her dog set to Andra Days ‘Rise Up.’ The caption read, We will beat these allegations, intensifying criticism across social media.
Social media users quickly flooded comment sections with strong reactions, with many calling for accountability and condemning the alleged behavior.
Instagram user @roselineadoo wrote, Im going cry thats so messed up he cant defend himself
Another Instagram user @ms.skyami wrote, We saw the clip. You were visually fustrated with the dog beforehand then beat the dog for like 40 seconds straight. That yelping wasnt fake
While Instagram user @gee2srt wrote, She asked the dog, ‘how you get out the cage? ‘ then gave him a 4 piece on camera aint no telling what she did outta view
Instagram user @celeb.taee wrote, I dont even like Aspen but be fr yall. Yall never whooped yall dog?
Another Instagram user @iam.jadaaa wrote, I couldnt even finish watching the video
While Instagram user @_iamprettymarie wrote, She telling the dog to tell us its fine?? I believe whatever America say she did
Instagram user @jaylynsamone wrote, Yall would hate how my moma be whopping my dog, yall 2 soft
Another Instagram user @jaysurgin wrote, not everyone needs to stream
While Instagram user @lickmytreats._ wrote, Someone take the puppy away from her.
