Streamer Hasan Piker's dog sitter reveals truth after fans spotted him trying to hide alleged 'shock collar' away from camera

Public figures often find themselves under intense scrutiny, especially when personal actions spill into the public eye. One such figure now facing widespread criticism is Twitch streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker. What started as a seemingly normal livestream quickly spiraled into a major controversy involving his pet dog, Kaya, and a shock collar. With online clips and claims circulating, the situation has sparked a larger discussion about pet care and responsible influence. Amid the backlash, one dog sitter came forward to clarify the situation regarding the collar.

As reported by The Express Tribune, the debate intensified after an October 7 clip from Piker’s Twitch stream went viral. In the footage, Kaya let out a sudden yelp, leading viewers to allege that Piker had used a shock collar, a device that delivers light shocks to train dogs. He allegedly tried to hide the shock collar remote from the camera, according to a post by @BestfriendKick. Piker strongly denied these claims, stating that the dog wore a vibration collar with the prongs removed and that the yelp came from Kaya accidentally bumping into a bedframe. His explanation was backed by dog sitter Caroline Kwan, who confirmed in a video posted on October 15 that she had personally seen the collar and it was not a shock device. “It’s not a shock collar; I’ve seen that collar,” she said during the live. 

Despite Kwan’s defense, skepticism has remained. According to The Hollywood Reporter, critics have pointed to the footage, claiming a blinking green light visible on the collar is a feature often found on shock collars. Further fueling the backlash was a resurfaced clip of Piker himself admitting in the past that he owned a shock collar and found it “incredibly effective.” While Piker has remained mostly silent since the incident resurfaced, some viewers believe his previous admission undermines his current denial. Online communities have been divided, with some supporting Piker’s explanation and others demanding accountability.

Major voices have joined the conversation, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, PETA 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." The group warned of serious risks like burn wounds, anxiety, and aggression. "They put dogs at risk of burn wounds, chronic anxiety, and displaced aggression.” They emphasized the importance of positive reinforcement, calling it a safer and more humane approach to training. PETA’s statement added further weight to a controversy that shows no signs of quieting down.

Streamer Ethan Klein, known for the h3h3 Productions channel, was among the first to publicly accuse Piker of animal cruelty. As per Hindustan Times, Klein took to Instagram to share the clip and criticized the incident, writing, “Horrifying animal cruelty caught on camera by Hasan.” He claimed Kaya’s cry of pain was a reaction to the collar being activated when she stepped off her bed. Klein also noted it was unusual for a young and active dog to stay so still during streams, suggesting it was a result of “brutally strict training.” The controversy continues to spark debate about the treatment of pets in content creation and the responsibility influencers have to those who rely on them, fans and animals alike.