Aspen Kartier arrested for animal cruelty after disturbing video

Rapper and streamer Aspen Kartier was arrested Friday in Georgia and charged with animal cruelty after a video went viral on Twitch that appeared to show her beating her puppy.

The 19-year-old internet personality, born Aspen Easterling, was arrested by Brookhaven police and booked into the DeKalb County Jail just before 11 p.m., online records show. She was released shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday.

According to TMZ, Kartier was arrested after authorities received numerous complaints about the viral video, leading them to gather enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for her residence.

The controversial footage begins with Kartier asking 3-month-old Maltipoo how he got out of his cage. It then appears to show her hitting the puppy repeatedly, while screams can be heard off-screen. Kartier later picks up the puppy by the neck and takes it out of the room.

The upsetting video reportedly led Twitch to suspend Kartier from the platform until at least mid-March. It also sparked outrage from the community, as well as from PETA, who called on authorities to “immediately” investigate.

On Saturday, the animal rights organization said it “worked with Brookhaven police to secure an arrest for animal cruelty and to rescue the dog.”

“Thank you to everyone who spoke out on this matter! PETA wrote on social media. “Never stay silent if you witness abuse.”

Kartier has denied allegations that she injured her puppy.

“I didn’t beat the f***ing dog,” she said in a video in response to the immediate backlash. “He’s not really traumatized.”

She then picked up the dog in an attempt to show viewers that he was okay.

“Are you beat? Say I’m too exaggerated. Say I’m really small and I’m exaggerating. Say it,” she asked as the dog whined and tried to squirm away.

DeKalb County Animal Control is currently caring for the Maltipoo as an investigation into the incident continues.