BUFFALO, N.Y. — Two University of Buffalo football players have been charged after a video of them allegedly beating a miniature poodle with a leather belt was posted on social media.
Blake Hiligh -- 19-years-old from Alexandria, Virginia -- and Zachary Pilarcek -- 20-years-old from Endicott, New York -- were arraigned in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday when they appeared before Amherst Town Court Justice Geoffrey Klein in regard to accusations that they beat a miniature poodle with a leather belt.
“It is alleged that on the evening of June 13, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the defendants, while acting in concert with one another, beat a dog under their care and custody with a leather belt,” read a press release from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office published on Thursday. “The alleged crime occurred inside of an apartment on Sweet Home Road in the Town of Amherst. A video of the alleged incident was posted on social media.
Both Hiligh and Pilarcek were charged on Thursday with one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and one count of failure to provide proper sustenance. If convicted of these charges, both men could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail. “I want to thank our partners at the SPCA for their work in this investigation and the many services that they provide to help animals in our community. I also commend the University at Buffalo and the UB Football program for taking immediate action, which further demonstrates that animal abuse will not be tolerated in this community,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.
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