Two football players from the University at Buffalo have been charged after a video circulated on social media showing them beating a miniature poodle with a belt, according to reports.
Blake Hiligh, 19, and Zachary Pilarcek, 20, were arraigned in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday regarding the accusations.
“It is alleged that on the evening of June 13, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the defendants, while acting in concert with one another, beat a dog under their care and custody with a leather belt,” read a press release from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office published on Thursday. “The alleged crime occurred inside of an apartment on Sweet Home Road in the Town of Amherst. A video of the alleged incident was posted on social media.”
“The following day, on June 14, 2023, the SPCA Serving Erie County seized the dog, a 4-year-old male miniature Poodle named ‘Kobe.’ Both defendants were charged and given an appearance ticket to be arraigned,” read the press release. “The dog was immediately transported to the SPCA Serving Erie County’s veterinary team where he received treatment for bruises and abrasions. ‘Kobe’ remains under the care of the SPCA at an undisclosed location.”
Both men were charged with one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and one count of failure to provide proper sustenance.
After the incident was revealed, suspended and then dismissed from the program Hiligh and Pilarcek were dismissed from the University at Buffalo’s football program.
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