Streamer Aspen Kartier's mugshot (Image: DeKalb County)
A clip has been going around social media featuring Twitch streamer Aspen Kartier, whose real name is Aspen Easterling, seemingly abusing her dog, Louie.
The video begins with Kartier asking her dog, “How you get out the cage?” She then moves toward Louie off-screen. Listeners can hear what seem to be Louie’s yelps as Easterling is seen making quick, forceful hand motions. Loud bangs are heard, and the streamer finally moves into view with the dog. She is holding Louie by the back and carrying him out of the room.
The court of public opinion ruled as expected, with calls for Easterling’s Twitch ban going viral, alongside calls for intervention from PETA.
Following the backlash, an Instagram story was posted from an account that seemed to be associated with Easterling. The video featured the same dog, and a voice that sounds like Easterling’s can be heard in the background, remarking, “Tell ‘em that you’re fine. Tell ‘em right now. I’m not playing… You’re fine. You’re fine, and you’re for sale.”
Another video was also posted on TikTok depicting Louie having money thrown in its face. However, it is currently unavailable.
As of now, anyone who tries to access Easterling’s Twitch page will be met with the message, “Sorry. Unless you’ve got a time machine, that content is unavailable.”
Yet another video posted on TikTok by an account titled “lyylclipped” shows a segment from a livestream Kartier did on another app in which she reacts to the controversy.
In the video, she says, “Let me tell them that this dog is dramatic. Give me a second… Bro, I didn’t beat Louie up. I’m just grabbing the f— outta Louie. Louie over here overly f–king screaming like a little b-tch.” The TikTok account features more snippets of Kartier’s livestream, and they all feature similar showings of the streamer denying the abuse allegations.
The PETA Instagram account published a response, stating:
“People are rightly horrified by the video in which Aspen Kartier raises her arm several times and appears to strike her dog as he wails, before moving off camera while the sounds of the dog’s distress continue. Anyone who would beat and terrify their dog should never go near one. Twitch was right to suspend this account. Now we urge authorities to immediately investigate, prosecute if appropriate, and, hopefully, seize this dog so that nothing like this ever happens again and the dog gets a chance at a loving home.”
On Jan. 30, Brookhaven, Georgia, police arrested and booked Easterling on animal cruelty charges.
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