NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A Hofstra University fraternity has been ordered to stop chapter activities after video captured two members forcing a five-month-old puppy to drink beer from a keg.
The footage, which was recorded at an off-campus party, shows a small red-colored dog being held in the air by a member of Hofstra University's Alpha Epsilon Pi as another man sprays beer into the dog's mouth as the animal struggles to get away.
The video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Twitter. Many users expressed disgust after watching the clip.
"They should be held accountable! That’s animal abuse!" one person wrote.
"Sickening," another person wrote.
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Nassau County SPCA's Gary Rogers says they are actively investigating the incident.
"The animal didn't have a choice whether it wanted to drink beer, it was poured down its throat, so it's disturbing in that regard," Rogers said. "You constantly read articles where you have fraternity hazing and bullying and people during initiations at fraternity parties are found dead because they're forced to drink (alcohol). Well this is an example how they forced an animal to drink it."
Rogers said alcohol can kill a dog.
"This was done on purpose. There was no ifs, ands or buts. They forced alcohol into that dog's mouth," Rogers said. "Alcohol poisoning is a serious issue within animals. To do that is basically an act of cruelty."
The university issued a statement saying, "The behavior seen on the video is unacceptable and in violation of the University’s Code of Community Standards. The University has been in communication with Alpha Epsilon Pi International headquarters, as well as with chapter members regarding this off-campus incident. In accordance with University policy, the chapter has been placed on interim suspension pending an investigation. In addition, any individual students identified in the video will also be subject to the University’s Code of Community Standards."
Alpha Epsilon Pi, a college fraternity established in 1913 at New York University, tweeted, "Alpha Epsilon Pi International has placed our Hofstra U chapter on ‘cease and desist’ due to suspected violations of our health and safety policies. We hope this can be a a teaching moment to help build better young men who are committed to our our mission and values."
The dog survived the incident. The Nassau SPCA says they took possession of the puppy from a 21-year-old member of the fraternity.