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Did hasan piker really shock his dog?
Executive summary
A viral October 2025 clip showed Hasan Piker’s dog Kaya yelp while Piker appeared to reach off-camera, prompting widespread accusations that he used a shock collar; Piker has repeatedly denied that he shocked the dog, saying the device was a vibration/GPS collar and that Kaya’s yelp was an accident [1] [2] [3]. Reporting shows both sustained online outrage and defenders who say available evidence is inconclusive — critics point to multiple clips and a blinking green light; Piker, PETA’s cautionary comment, and experiments by commentators like Ethan Klein complicate a simple verdict [4] [5] [6].
1. What happened on the livestream — the clip that sparked it
A short clip from Piker’s October livestream shows Kaya yelp as Piker appears to reach toward something; viewers interpreted the motion plus an apparent green blinking light on the collar as activation of an electric shock device, and the video quickly went viral across Reddit and X, mounting public outcry [5] [7].
2. The streamer’s response: denial and an alternative explanation
Hasan Piker has denied using a shock collar, telling viewers the collar in question was a vibration collar with a GPS tracker and LED light and that Kaya’s yelp resulted from catching a dewclaw on the bed rather than being shocked; he has called the clip “looks terrible” but insisted it was a misunderstanding [3] [2].
3. Media and advocacy reactions — who weighed in and why it mattered
Major outlets such as Forbes and The Hollywood Reporter covered the episode and noted Piker’s denial while reporting public figures’ responses; animal-rights group PETA publicly stated Piker denied the claim and warned shock collars can be harmful, stressing the stakes of the allegation even as it remained contested [1] [4].
4. Evidence cited by critics: multiple clips, a blinking light, and resurfaced footage
Critics and fellow streamers pointed to several clips they say show similar reactions and to zoomed-in frames of a collar with a green blinking light that they read as characteristic of an electronic shock device; some users also resurfaced older footage that they interpret as showing past collar use or injuries, arguing this suggests a pattern [5] [7] [3].
5. Tests and counter-claims from commentators
Commentators like Ethan Klein publicly investigated by buying the model alleged to be used and testing it on themselves; Klein’s demonstrations suggested the collar’s sensation was not as painful as many assumed, which some saw as evidence that the device may not have caused the dog’s yelp — but that experiment does not rule out other collars, settings, or past instances [6].
6. Political and cultural amplification
High-profile figures — from podcasters to politicians such as Vice President J.D. Vance — publicly condemned Piker over the clip, turning a streaming clip into a broader cultural and political dispute; coverage from outlets such as Times of India and Times Now shows the controversy crossed entertainment into political symbolism, intensifying scrutiny [8] [9].
7. What the reporting does and doesn’t establish
Available reporting documents a viral clip, Piker’s denials, resurfaced older footage cited by critics, public tests by other creators, and statements from advocacy groups — but none of the cited sources in this set provides definitive proof that Piker intentionally used an electric shock on Kaya during the specific clip, and Piker maintains it was a vibration collar and an accidental dewclaw injury [1] [3] [4] [6].
8. How to interpret competing claims and next steps for readers
Given the mix of viral clips, contradictory explanations, third‑party tests, and political amplification, the prudent conclusion is that the incident is disputed: critics argue video patterns and imagery indicate abuse, while Piker and some experiments contest that interpretation; independent verification (e.g., full unedited footage, collar model and logs, or veterinary records) would be the clearest way to move beyond competing narratives — available sources do not mention release of such definitive evidence [7] [2] [6].
Final note: reporting shows strong emotions and partisan dynamics shape this story — when coverage crosses into political attack and influencer feuds, confirmation bias can amplify ambiguous footage. Evaluate claims against direct primary evidence, and note that Piker’s denial and PETA’s caution both appear in the record [2] [4].