Two former football players from the University of Buffalo are facing animal cruelty charges after a viral video posted on Snapchat allegedly showed the men abusing a small poodle.
According to AbcNews, Blake Hiligh and Zach Pilarcek face one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, in addition to a misdemeanor charge of failure to provide proper sustenance.
Erie County (N.Y.) District Attorney John Flynn stated in a press release that Hiligh and Pilarcek beat a dog with a leather belt on a torn couch, and then in a different part of the living room; the alleged action was posted on social media. Spectrum 1 News in Buffalo obtained the video and forwarded it to authorities. Pilarcek could be heard in the video “speaking off camera about damage a dog did to a couch; claiming he will film the punishment the dog will receive.”
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.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.
Erie County District Attorney’s Office
Pilarcek and Hiligh have both been dismissed from the program. Hiligh was a cornerback for the Bulls. Pilarcek was a freshman tight end.
The UB football program has zero tolerance for this type of behavior. After learning about this incident, I immediately suspended the two young men from all team activities before permanently dismissing them from the program earlier this month. At UB, not only do we expect our student athletes to excel on the field and in the classroom, but we also expect them to be outstanding citizens in our community.
Buffalo head coach Maurice Linguist
Both men were arraigned in New York on Thursday. If found guilty, they could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
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