A single moment from a livestream has ignited one of the most divisive debates in online entertainment this year.
Hasan Piker, known to millions as HasanAbi, now finds himself defending against allegations of mistreating his dog Kaya after a clip from his 7 October broadcast went viral across social media platforms.
The footage shows the Turkish-American political commentator appearing to reach for something off-camera. His dog yelps and returns to her designated spot. What happened next divided the internet.
The Clip That Sparked Outrage
The video has been viewed over 2.7 million times on X alone.
In the contentious moment, Piker tells his dog: “Kaya please just f****** go back. Just stop!” The animal yelps sharply before settling back onto her bed. He then complains that his mother has “spoiled” the pet.
Critics immediately accused the streamer of using a shock collar to control Kaya’s movements during broadcasts. Some analysed the footage frame-by-frame, claiming to spot telltale signs of electronic training devices.
Fellow content creators joined the pile-on. Streamer xQc examined the clip in slow motion, suggesting there was a “98%” likelihood that Piker activated a shock collar. H3 Podcast host Ethan Klein called it “horrifying animal cruelty,” while John “Tectone” accused Piker of using his dog “as a prop.”
You truly don’t understand how bad the Hasanabi situation is.
Here is a timelapse of Hasan’s dog sitting in the same spot for 4 hours and getting shocked every time she tries to leave outside the view of the camera 😬😬 pic.twitter.com/hZ3unN0aCY
— Juice💫 (@YorzTrulyJuice) October 10, 2025
Piker’s Response: “Crazy Haters”
The streamer addressed the controversy during a follow-up broadcast, firmly denying using any shock collar and attributing the claims to “crazy haters.”
“They’re claiming the most well-trained and most spoiled, best-kept dog on the planet is actually being abused by me, apparently,” Piker said. He explained that Kaya yelped because she “clipped herself on something when she was getting off the bed.”
Piker later showed viewers Kaya’s collar during a stream, demonstrating its features:
- Vibration capability (not electric shock)
- Built-in AirTag for tracking
- Flashlight component for night visibility
- GPS tracker in case the dog gets lost
“This doesn’t work the way you think it does,” he told his audience while displaying the device.
PETA Weighs In
The animal rights organisation issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, adding weight to the debate.
“Hasan Piker has denied using a shock collar on his dog, and we hope that’s true because shock collars are dangerous and downright cruel,” PETA said. “They put dogs at risk of burn wounds, chronic anxiety, and displaced aggression.”
The group advocated for positive reinforcement as a more effective training method that doesn’t betray animals’ trust.
Industry Defenders Emerge
Not everyone believes the allegations hold water.
Popular streamer Valkyrae came to Piker’s defence on 9 October, acknowledging the clip “did look horrible” but emphasising her firsthand experience with both Piker and Kaya.
“Kaya is the most loved and spoiled and just the most well-trained, and best little baby that I have ever been around,” Valkyrae told her viewers.
She described the backlash as “herd mentality” and urged fans to consider context when judging short clips.
Others defended Piker based on technical analysis. Some viewers slowed down the footage, suggesting Kaya caught her nail on fabric, causing a natural yelp and stumble. Another observer noted that the collar resembles a popular AirTag model rather than a shock device.
The Broader Context
Piker, 34, is one of Twitch’s most prominent political commentators, ranking as the platform’s 21st most subscribed channel with approximately 3 million followers. His streams typically blend political analysis with gaming and media consumption, attracting audiences particularly during major political events.
The streamer lives in West Hollywood and purchased a $3.2 million home, which itself drew criticism from some who labeled him a “limousine socialist” given his left-wing political views.
This isn’t Piker’s first brush with controversy. He’s been suspended multiple times from Twitch for contentious remarks and has faced ongoing scrutiny over his political commentary, particularly regarding international conflicts.
A Community Divided
The incident reveals broader tensions within streaming culture about entertainment accountability and the rapid spread of judgment through social media.
Some observers noted that many negative comments contained Islamophobic undertones, raising questions about whether genuine concern for animal welfare was always the motivating factor.
The controversy has spawned countless memes and earned the moniker “CollarGate” and “Dogtober 7th” across social platforms.
Elon Musk reacting to Collargate memes
As of publication, no official investigation has been launched into the allegations. Piker continues streaming daily to his massive audience, maintaining that Kaya is well-cared for and deeply loved.
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FAQ
Q: Did Hasan Piker use a shock collar on his dog?
A: Piker denies using a shock collar, stating that Kaya wears only a vibration-based training collar with an AirTag. He claims the dog accidentally hurt herself while getting off her bed.
Q: What did PETA say about the incident?
A: PETA stated they hope Piker isn’t using a shock collar, calling such devices “dangerous and downright cruel” and advocating for positive reinforcement training instead.
Q: How many people have seen the viral clip?
A: The original clip has been viewed over 2.7 million times on X (formerly Twitter), with additional millions viewing coverage and commentary across multiple platforms.
Q: Who is HasanAbi?
A: Hasan Piker is a Turkish-American political commentator and one of Twitch’s most popular streamers, with 3 million followers. He’s known for left-wing political commentary and analysis.
