Rapper and streamer Aspen Kartier was arrested in Georgia on Friday and charged with animal cruelty after a video went viral on Twitch that appeared to show her beating her puppy. The 19-year-old internet personality, born Aspen Easterling, was taken into custody by Brookhaven Police and booked into the DeKalb County Jail just before 11 p.m., according to online records. She was released just after 5 p.m. on Saturday. According to TMZ, Kartier was arrested after authorities received numerous complaints about the viral video, leading them to gather enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for her residence. The controversial footage starts with Kartier asking her 3-month-old Maltipoo how he got out of his cage. It then appears to show her hitting the puppy multiple times, as cries can be heard offscreen. Kartier later picks the puppy up by the nape of his neck and carries him out of the room. The upsetting video reportedly led Twitch to suspend Kartier from the platform until at least mid-March. It also caused outrage across the community, as well as from PETA, who demanded authorities investigate “immediately.” On Saturday, the animal rights organization said that it “worked with Brookhaven Police to secure an arrest on cruelty-to-animals charges and the dog’s rescue.” “Thank you to everyone who spoke out about this case!” PETA wrote on social media. “Never be silent if you see abuse.” Kartier has denied allegations that she caused harm to her puppy. “I didn’t beat the f–king dog,” she said in a video responding to the immediate backlash. “He’s not f–king traumatized.” She then picked up the dog in an attempt to show viewers he was fine. “Is you beat up? Say I overexaggerate s–t. Say I’m really small and I overexaggerate. Say it,” she demanded as dog whined and tried to squirm away. DeKalb County Animal Control is currently looking after the Maltipoo as an investigation into the incident continues. ...read more read less