San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is facing widespread criticism following the circulation of a video that appears to show him kicking one of his dogs in the head. The footage, which Aiyuk reportedly posted to his Instagram story on July 13, has drawn condemnation from NFL fans and animal welfare advocates.
The video initially showed Aiyuk feeding raw chicken and then sardines to his two dogs. A subsequent clip depicts Aiyuk attempting to give a used food bowl to the dogs, at which point one dog resists. Aiyuk then uses his neck to nudge the dog away, stating, "Watch out! N**** move!" Shortly after, he appears to strike the same dog in the head before tossing the bowl.
The video has been widely shared on social media platforms, amplifying the backlash against the player. Animal cruelty laws in all 50 U.S. states prohibit the intentional infliction of unnecessary pain upon an animal, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the severity of the offense.
The incident could potentially lead to legal repercussions if authorities decide to prosecute based on the video evidence. Aiyuk's actions in the video have jeopardized his standing within the NFL community during the offseason.