Entertainment
PETA Responds to Hasan Piker Dog Abuse Allegations After Viral Twitch Clip Sparks Outrage
After accusations that Hasan Piker used a shock collar on his dog during a live stream, PETA urges humane training methods and warns against devices that cause “pain and anxiety.”
Hasan Piker — the outspoken political streamer known for his fiery commentary and massive online following — has found himself in the middle of a heated controversy over allegations of animal mistreatment involving his beloved dog, Kaya.
The uproar began after a clip from Piker’s October 7 Twitch stream went viral, showing Kaya yelping in the background. Some viewers claimed the streamer, who boasts over 3 million followers on Twitch and millions more across platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), had used a shock collar on his pet out of frustration.
The allegations quickly spread across social media, sparking debates about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and influencer accountability.
Hasan Piker Denies Using a Shock Collar
Piker was quick to push back against the accusations. He explained that Kaya wears a vibration-based training collar, not a shock device, and that the sound heard during the stream came from the dog accidentally activating it while standing up.
“She clipped herself getting up from her bed — that’s what made her yelp,” Piker clarified on a later stream. “There’s no shock collar involved. The collar has a vibration and a tracking AirTag, that’s it.”
Despite his statement, some fans and critics remained unconvinced. Several online sleuths circulated zoomed-in screenshots that appeared to show a green blinking light — which they argued is characteristic of a shock collar. Others resurfaced an older clip where Piker allegedly referred to owning a shock collar, calling it “incredibly effective,” adding fuel to the controversy.
PETA Issues a Strong Statement
As the debate intensified, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) stepped in with an official response, emphasizing that while Piker has denied using a shock collar, the organization condemns such devices outright.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the animal rights group said:
“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. They put dogs at risk of burn wounds, chronic anxiety, and displaced aggression.”
PETA further urged pet owners and trainers to embrace humane alternatives, stressing that “positive reinforcement is a far more effective training method and doesn’t betray our animal companions’ trust in us.”
Social Media Divided Over the Incident
Online reactions have been sharply split. Supporters of Piker argue that the outrage is overblown and that the video was taken out of context. “Hasan is literally one of the biggest animal lovers on Twitch,” one fan commented on Reddit. “People just want to twist everything he does.”
Critics, however, insist that the clip raises legitimate concerns about influencer transparency. “If you have a platform that big, you need to set an example,” one user wrote on X. “Dogs shouldn’t be subjected to shock collars — period.”
The debate has even extended into Twitch communities, with several creators weighing in on animal safety and ethical pet care during live broadcasts.
Piker’s Broader Public Image
The controversy marks one of several moments in Piker’s career where passionate audiences have clashed over his persona. Known online as HasanAbi, the West Hollywood–based streamer rose to fame for his leftist political commentary, critiques of U.S. capitalism, and his outspoken stance on global issues.
Despite occasional controversies — from political soundbites to viral debates — Piker has remained one of Twitch’s most-watched creators. His dog Kaya, a frequent presence on his streams, is often affectionately referred to by fans as the “co-host.”
The Broader Issue: Training Ethics in the Spotlight
Regardless of Piker’s intentions or the true nature of the collar, the uproar has reignited a wider discussion about animal training ethics. Experts largely agree with PETA’s stance that shock-based training methods can harm a dog’s psychological well-being.
Veterinary behaviorists often recommend reward-based training, which uses praise, treats, and consistency instead of punishment or pain. According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, positive reinforcement “improves the bond between dog and owner and reduces fear-related behavior.”
As social media continues to amplify both criticism and defense of Piker, animal advocates see this moment as an opportunity to educate millions of viewers about compassionate pet care.
What Happens Next
As of now, Piker has not faced any official investigation or disciplinary action from Twitch, and Kaya appears healthy and happy in his latest streams. Still, the incident remains a cautionary tale about the power of perception in the age of livestreaming — where every frame is scrutinized, and even a misunderstanding can go viral in seconds.
Whether or not Piker’s explanation satisfies his critics, the message from PETA is loud and clear: the humane treatment of animals should never be up for debate.
Entertainment
How ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Returned to Cinemas and Reclaimed Box Office Glory
Renewed ticket sales send Marvel’s 2019 finale past ‘Avatar’ to lead the all-time global chart again.
Seven years after its original release, Avengers: Endgame has unfinished business at the box office.
The Marvel Studios blockbuster has overtaken James Cameron’s Avatar to become the highest-grossing film worldwide once again. According to The Walt Disney Company’s October 4 announcement, Endgame now holds an estimated $2.9255 billion, narrowly ahead of Avatar’s $2.9237 billion. That puts just $1.8 million between two of cinema’s biggest hits.
The lead is small. The comeback, however, is substantial: a film released in 2019 has drawn enough fresh ticket sales to rewrite the all-time chart.
The ‘Encore’ release that tipped the balance
The latest theatrical run, titled Avengers Endgame: Encore, has earned $126 million worldwide, according to TheWrap. That includes $36.2 million in North America and $89.8 million from international markets—the extra business that pushed the film back into first place.
Audiences also had a reason to return beyond revisiting a familiar blockbuster. TheWrap reports that the reissue features a modified ending and three new scenes during and after the credits, connected to Avengers: Doomsday. The release therefore serves two purposes: bringing an established favourite back to cinemas and giving viewers a bridge to the next Avengers story.
ALSO READ : Emmy Nominations Announcement Gets a Star Twist… Liza Colón-Zayas & Jeff Hiller Set to Reveal 2026 TV Nominees
A rivalry with a history of reversals
This is another change of leadership in a box office contest that has lasted for years.
Endgame first displaced Avatar in 2019. Cameron’s science-fiction epic regained the crown following its Chinese re-release in 2021. Now, another theatrical return has swung the result in Marvel’s favour. Re-releases have become a decisive part of the competition, extending both films’ earning lives well beyond their original runs.
The distinction matters: this is the record for worldwide theatrical revenue without adjustment for inflation, including re-release earnings. It measures money collected rather than the number of tickets sold.
Why ‘Endgame’ matters to ‘Doomsday’
The timing gives Marvel’s comeback an added significance. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to reach cinemas on December 18, 2026, and Disney has positioned Endgame as an important foundation for that next chapter.
Explaining the connection, Anthony Russo said: “You really need to pick the story up from where you left it in Endgame.”
That makes this return more than a victory lap. A film remembered for closing a major chapter of Marvel’s story is now helping introduce the next one—and, along the way, has taken back Hollywood’s most closely watched box office title.
Entertainment
Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ Faces a Tough Opening: Could ‘Verity’ Take the Lead?
Cruise’s star power meets a fresh box office challenge as the Colleen Hoover adaptation emerges as a formidable rival.
Tom Cruise has spent years persuading audiences to watch him attempt the impossible. With Digger, the challenge is different: convincing moviegoers to embrace an eccentric, darkly comic character who bears little resemblance to his familiar action heroes.
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, the film arrives in US cinemas on October 2, 2026, carrying considerable expectations. Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon confronting a catastrophe connected to his company’s actions. It is a conspicuous departure for an actor whose recent screen identity has been shaped by spectacular stunts and blockbuster franchises.
Yet the conversation before release has increasingly turned from Cruise’s transformation to a more uncomfortable question: how many people will buy a ticket?
ALSO READ : Emmy Nominations Announcement Gets a Star Twist… Liza Colón-Zayas & Jeff Hiller Set to Reveal 2026 TV Nominees
A costly film facing a modest opening
According to Koimoi’s September 30 report, Digger was tracking for a North American opening below $15 million, against a reported production cost of approximately $125 million. These are reported estimates, rather than confirmed earnings or a final accounting of the film’s costs.
That gap explains the concern surrounding Warner Bros.. An expensive production needs sustained attendance, and a subdued debut would place greater pressure on subsequent weekends and overseas markets.
An opening forecast cannot establish a film’s eventual profit or loss. It can, however, reveal how much work remains for the campaign.
Reviews have complicated the pitch
The critical response has been sharply divided. People reported reactions ranging from admiration for the film’s audacity and Cruise’s commitment to criticism of its scale, coherence and tone.
For potential ticket buyers, that creates an uncertain proposition. Cruise’s presence attracts attention, but attention does not automatically translate into enthusiasm for an unfamiliar kind of film.
The promotional campaign has leaned into that disagreement. The Guardian described advertising that places harsh reactions alongside praise, using the controversy itself to generate interest. Whether that approach encourages curiosity or deepens hesitation remains an open question.
Why ‘Verity’ makes the weekend more intriguing
The Hollywood Reporter expects Digger to open substantially behind Verity, the Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. hollywoodreporter.com
Starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, Verity is also scheduled to open on October 2. Its psychological-thriller premise centres on a writer who discovers a disturbing manuscript while completing another author’s book series.
From a marketing perspective, an established novel and a recognisable thriller setup could offer a more immediate hook. Digger, by comparison, asks audiences to take a greater leap into unfamiliar territory.
The audience verdict is still ahead
Cruise has clearly committed to that leap. At the London premiere, Reuters reported that his transformation involved prosthetics and a padded bodysuit, alongside a demanding performance.
The commercial outcome remains unresolved. Strong audience recommendations could give Digger momentum beyond its initial forecasts. A weak response would make its financial challenge harder.
For now, the film’s biggest suspense lies beyond the screen: whether curiosity about Cruise’s unusual gamble becomes an opening-weekend ticket purchase.
Entertainment
‘Verity’ Could Outopen ‘Digger’: Why Tom Cruise Faces a Tough Contest
The competing releases raise a compelling question: which film will persuade more audiences to buy a ticket?
Tom Cruise has spent years persuading audiences to watch him attempt the impossible. With Digger, the challenge is different: convincing moviegoers to embrace an eccentric, darkly comic character who bears little resemblance to his familiar action heroes.
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, the film arrives in US cinemas on October 2, 2026, carrying considerable expectations. Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon confronting a catastrophe connected to his company’s actions. It is a conspicuous departure for an actor whose recent screen identity has been shaped by spectacular stunts and blockbuster franchises.
Yet the conversation before release has increasingly turned from Cruise’s transformation to a more uncomfortable question: how many people will buy a ticket?
ALSO READ : Emmy Nominations Announcement Gets a Star Twist… Liza Colón-Zayas & Jeff Hiller Set to Reveal 2026 TV Nominees
A costly film facing a modest opening
According to Koimoi’s September 30 report, Digger was tracking for a North American opening below $15 million, against a reported production cost of approximately $125 million. These are reported estimates, rather than confirmed earnings or a final accounting of the film’s costs.
That gap explains the concern surrounding Warner Bros.. An expensive production needs sustained attendance, and a subdued debut would place greater pressure on subsequent weekends and overseas markets.
An opening forecast cannot establish a film’s eventual profit or loss. It can, however, reveal how much work remains for the campaign.
Reviews have complicated the pitch
The critical response has been sharply divided. People reported reactions ranging from admiration for the film’s audacity and Cruise’s commitment to criticism of its scale, coherence and tone.
For potential ticket buyers, that creates an uncertain proposition. Cruise’s presence attracts attention, but attention does not automatically translate into enthusiasm for an unfamiliar kind of film.
The promotional campaign has leaned into that disagreement. The Guardian described advertising that places harsh reactions alongside praise, using the controversy itself to generate interest. Whether that approach encourages curiosity or deepens hesitation remains an open question.
Why ‘Verity’ makes the weekend more intriguing
The Hollywood Reporter expects Digger to open substantially behind Verity, the Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. hollywoodreporter.com
Starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, Verity is also scheduled to open on October 2. Its psychological-thriller premise centres on a writer who discovers a disturbing manuscript while completing another author’s book series.
From a marketing perspective, an established novel and a recognisable thriller setup could offer a more immediate hook. Digger, by comparison, asks audiences to take a greater leap into unfamiliar territory.
The audience verdict is still ahead
Cruise has clearly committed to that leap. At the London premiere, Reuters reported that his transformation involved prosthetics and a padded bodysuit, alongside a demanding performance.
The commercial outcome remains unresolved. Strong audience recommendations could give Digger momentum beyond its initial forecasts. A weak response would make its financial challenge harder.
For now, the film’s biggest suspense lies beyond the screen: whether curiosity about Cruise’s unusual gamble becomes an opening-weekend ticket purchase.
How ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Returned to Cinemas and Reclaimed Box Office Glory
Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ Faces a Tough Opening: Could ‘Verity’ Take the Lead?
‘Verity’ Could Outopen ‘Digger’: Why Tom Cruise Faces a Tough Contest
‘Endgame’ Returns to No. 1 ‘Avatar’ Loses Its Box Office Throne
Mark Zuckerberg Faces a New Hollywood Reckoning Why Aaron Sorkin’s Film Hits Closer to Home
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