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In a case that has ignited widespread outrage across social media, 19-year-old Twitch streamer and rapper Aspen Kartier (legally known as Aspen Easterling) was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. The arrest, conducted by the Brookhaven Police Department in Georgia, follows a disturbing livestream clip that appeared to show the creator mistreating her pet.
The investigation began after authorities received an influx of complaints regarding a viral video from a January 28 broadcast. In the footage, Kartier is seen reacting to her three-month-old Maltipoo puppy escaping its cage. While the animal briefly moves off-camera, the audio captures Kartier asking, “How did you get out of the cage?” followed by the sound of repeated thuds and the puppy’s high-pitched yelping. The clip concludes with Kartier picking the dog up by the nape of its neck and carrying it out of the room.
The backlash was immediate, with animal advocacy groups like PETA amplifying the video and calling for legal action. Twitch acted swiftly, placing a temporary ban on Kartier’s channel for violating community guidelines. According to Brookhaven police, investigators confirmed the address shown in the stream and secured both a search and arrest warrant. Kartier was taken into custody at her residence on Town Boulevard at approximately 9:30 p.m. and booked into the DeKalb County Jail.
During the search, officers located the Maltipoo puppy, which they noted “appeared to be in good health” despite the distressing footage. DeKalb County Animal Control has since assumed custody of the animal for its protection while the legal case proceeds. In the wake of the allegations, Kartier has maintained her innocence. She posted follow-up videos on social media holding the puppy and telling it to “tell the people you’re fine,” though viewers noted the dog appeared to whimper and struggle during the recording.
Kartier argued that the original clip was taken out of context and that her pet was never harmed. Despite these denials, she remains charged with animal cruelty and was released on bond. The incident has sparked conversation about platform responsibility and the real-world consequences of behavior captured during live broadcasts.
