Former Buffalo Bulls football players charged with animal abuse on social media video
Two former University of Buffalo football players face animal cruelty charges after a video on social media allegedly showed them injuring a dog.
Blake Hiligh, 19, and Zach Pilarcek, 20, were arraigned Thursday in Amherst Town Court in New York, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced. The two former Bulls players are charged with one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, as well as a misdemeanor charge of failure to provide proper sustenance. If convicted, the two individuals face a maximum one year in jail.
The attorney's office said on the night of June 13, Hiligh and Pilarcek "beat a dog under their care and custody with a leather belt." The incident occurred inside an apartment in the town of Amherst, and a video of the alleged actions was posted on social media. Spectrum News 1 Buffalo reported it obtained the video and confirmed the actions seen.
Animal protection organization SPCA Serving Erie County received a report of the incident, and the next day, seized the dog, a 4-year-old miniature poodle named Kobe. Hiligh and Pilarcek were given appearance tickets to be arraigned.
MORE: Why Deion Sanders' blood circulation issues are no small thing
Buffalo players dismissed after alleged incident
Buffalo head coach Maurice Linguist said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports that he suspended Hiligh and Pilarcek after learning about the incident, and then dismissed them from the team earlier this month.
"The UB football program has zero tolerance for this type of behavior," Linguist said. "At UB, not only do we expect our student-athletes to excel on the field and in the classroom, but we also expect them to be outstanding citizens in our community."
Hiligh and Pilarcek no longer appear on the Buffalo 2023 team roster, but The Buffalo News reported Hiligh, a cornerback, appeared in one game for the Bulls last season. Pilarcek, a tight end, didn't play last season. The outlet also reported both former players remained enrolled at Buffalo.
The two individuals were released on their recognizance and were each issued a temporary order that prevents them from owning or caring for any animal while the case is pending. Pilarcek is scheduled to return to court on July 27, and Hiligh is scheduled to return on Aug. 3.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Buffalo football players charged with animal cruelty of dog
