Aspen Kartier, the 19-year-old rapper and popular Twitch streamer whose real name is Aspen Easterling, was arrested last weekend on an animal cruelty charge after a viral livestream video that appeared to show her mistreating her young dog sparked widespread outrage online.
According to local law enforcement, Brookhaven police obtained an arrest and search warrant after receiving multiple complaints from the public following the circulation of the video, which showed the streamer allegedly handling a three-month-old Maltipoo roughly during a live broadcast. Officers executed the search warrant at Kartier’s residence in Brookhaven on Friday night and booked her into DeKalb County Jail on one count of animal cruelty.
At the time of the arrest, DeKalb County Animal Control took custody of the puppy, known publicly as Louie, placing the dog into protective custody as part of the ongoing investigation. Police say the dog “appeared to be in good health” when located, though authorities have not yet released detailed veterinary findings or a full medical report.
Kartier, who has amassed tens of thousands of followers on Twitch and social media, has also faced punitive action from the platform itself. Twitch reportedly made her account unavailable for violating community standards, and she has denied intentionally harming the dog, stating in a video reply that viewers were misinterpreting her actions. According to the platform, she has been banned.
Animal welfare advocates have seized on the case, with organizations like PETA publicly condemning the alleged conduct and calling for a thorough investigation and appropriate legal consequences.
What’s Next for Louie?
In recent days, well-wishers and followers of the case have been asking about Louie’s condition and future, especially on social media platforms. Posts on Reddit and other forums indicate uncertainty about the dog’s placement, with some commenters reporting that animal services have remained mum on Louie’s whereabouts and care status.
Because Louie is part of an active criminal investigation, authorities have indicated the dog must be held as evidence until the case moves forward. After that, officials could either pursue permanent protective placement or — depending on the findings and court rulings — return him to his owner or another caregiver.
As of now, no court date has been scheduled publicly, and the investigation remains active. Law enforcement continues to review evidence related to the livestream and the reported conduct.
