Buffalo football players charged with animal cruelty after video shows them whipping poodle

A pair of former University of Buffalo football players have been charged with animal abuse after a video surfaced of them allegedly whipping a poodle, according to TMZ.

On the night of June 13, Blake Hiligh and Zachary Pilarcek reportedly beat a 4-year-old miniature poodle with a leather belt. Hiligh was a cornerback for the Bulls, while Pilarcek was a tight end.

Both players were at first suspended and then dismissed from the team, according to 2 On Your Side (WGRZ). Hiligh appeared in five games last season, recording two tackles. Pilarcek did not record any stats in 2022. Hiligh is 19 years old, while Pilarcek is 20.

According to TMZ, the two former Buffalo players were attempting to discipline the poodle. They videoed themselves repeatedly hitting the dog, before uploading the video to social media.

The two men were charged with one misdemeanor charge of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, according to TMZ. The dog, who is named Kobe, was reportedly taken to a local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals. He received treatment and was not seriously injured but suffered some bruises, according to 2 On Your Side.

The two appeared in court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty, according to TMZ. Following court, Hiligh’s attorney spoke with 2 On Your Side.

“My client regrets the actions, regrets a lot of the things. We love our dogs, we love our pets,” Robert Fogg, the attorney for Hiligh, reportedly said. “Sometimes they do frustrate us. Sometimes we do discipline them, sometimes. I don’t believe it was in a cruel manner. We all need to learn how to discipline dogs.”

Hiligh reportedly has another court date set for August, while Pilarcek’s next court date is set for July, according to 2 On Your Side.

District Attorney John Flynn also reportedly spoke with 2 On Your Side and said that he could decide to “give them a break” and use this as a learning experience at some point.

“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,” Flynn said, via 2 On Your Side.

The two face a maximum of one year in jail, if it is determined that they are guilty, per 2 On Your Side.