Former UB Football Players Arraigned for Animal Cruelty in Beating of Miniature Poodle

Two former University at Buffalo football players, Blake Hiligh and Zachary Pilarcek, have been arraigned on a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge after Hiligh allegedly used a leather belt to beat his dog while Pilarcek filmed the incident and posted it on social media. The SPCA began investigating after receiving a report of animal abuse, and the judge ruled that neither man is allowed to own any pet during the ongoing proceedings. The UB football program has permanently dismissed both players, emphasizing zero tolerance for such behavior. The dog, a miniature poodle named Kobe, is currently in the custody of the SPCA.