Warning: The video posted by PETA depicts disturbing images of alleged animal abuse.
A Compassionate Police Department Award is on its way from PETA to the Brookhaven Police Department in recognition of officers’ swift action in rescuing a three-month-old puppy who was seen being beaten on a woman’s Twitch stream on January 29.
“If someone is willing to repeatedly hit a crying puppy on the global stage of a livestream, there’s no telling what might happen when the cameras are off,” said PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk in a release about the award. “PETA is grateful to the Brookhaven Police Department for enforcing the state’s anti-cruelty law and reminds everyone never to be silent if they see or suspect abuse, as one phone call can make all the difference in a vulnerable being’s life.”
The Brookhaven Police Department arrested Aspen Easterling (aka Aspen Kartier), 19, in connection with an animal cruelty investigation that originated from social media posts circulating online.
In the 26-second video posted by PETA on X, Easterling, in a live Twitch stream, appears to spot the puppy and asks, “How did you get out of the cage?” and then smacks it repeatedly for about 10 seconds with her hand while the puppy whimpers and barks.
Other sites posting the video said the alleged abuse went on longer, and a decision was made to condense it to a few seconds.
She then picks the dog up by the skin on its back and carries it out of the room. The PETA post asks authorities to investigate Easterling, saying, “THIS IS CRUELTY.”
According to a release from the Brookhaven Police, the agency received “numerous complaints from residents regarding a video depicting the alleged abuse of a dog at a location within the City of Brookhaven.”
“The incident location was identified as 1105 Town Boulevard,” the release said.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, Brookhaven Police Officers secured a search warrant for the residence and an arrest warrant for Easterling, who was taken into custody without incident at 9:35 p.m.
“The dog, a three-month-old Maltipoo, was located at the residence and appeared to be in good health,” the release said. “DeKalb County Animal Control responded to the scene and assumed custody of the animal.”
Easterling, charged with animal cruelty, was released from jail on bond on Jan. 30, around 5 p.m. According to multiple media sources, Easterling, who posts videos under the name Aspen Kartier, has been banned from Twitch while the incident is investigated.
According to the famous birthdays website, Easterling is a media star “who is best known as a recording artist for her work on tracks like, ‘LA Percs,’ ‘Where I’m From,’ and ‘Walk Down.'”
A YouTube video, which has more than 5,800 views, entitled “They Be Hiding,” features Easterling holding a dog that is similar to the Maltipoo she allegedly abused on the Twitch video.
A post by killacamreacts on social media after the incident, headlined, “Aspen Kartier Speaks Following Incident With Her Dog Showing That The Puppy is Alright,” shows Easterling allegedly asking her dog to “tell the people that you are fine and that you are for sale,” as he struggles to free himself from her grasp. She then throws three $100 bills on the dog’s stomach before the video ends.