Target: Angela Hession, Head of Trust and Safety Team, Twitch, San Francisco, California
Goal: Adopt clear on-stream animal-welfare standards that ban aversive collars, require swift creator transparency, and trigger reviews when clips show apparent distress.
Reports describe a viral livestream moment where a dog yelped while wearing a collar, which viewers read as a shock. A prominent creator denied using such a device, yet the clip circulated widely, and commentary videos amplified concern. Online storms move fast. Pets feel fear faster. Clear rules would calm both.
Livestream culture often places animals inside noisy rooms with lights, mics, and sudden cues. When a yelp happens on camera, audiences need guardrails, not guesswork. Platforms can require on-stream transparency when allegations arise, such as briefly showing any collar, harness, or training aid, and stating function plainly. Independent reviews can follow if footage suggests pain or hazardous handling. A bright-line policy that bans aversive tools on stream would reduce risk and copycat behavior.
Creators shape norms. Viewers copy what idols do. Without guidance, disputed clips spiral, while real dogs sit inside tense spaces. Platform policy that favors humane handling, consent from qualified trainers, and rapid fact-sharing would protect animals, creators, and audiences. This petition demands that Twitch to publish enforceable standards, require swift disclosures during incidents, and consult independent welfare experts on training guidance that creators can follow live.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Angela Hession,
A recent viral clip showed a dog yelp during a livestream, which viewers alleged involved a shock device. The creator denied that claim, yet speculation surged, reactions multiplied, and concern for the animal spread. Moments like this erode trust and can normalize risky practices if platforms lack clear rules.
We respectfully urge you to adopt robust animal-welfare standards for livestreams. First, publish a prohibition on aversive devices on stream, including shock, prong, and choke tools, with narrow exceptions for documented medical devices. Second, require rapid creator transparency when a pet appears distressed on camera, including a brief, good-faith demonstration of any collar or harness and a plain explanation of its function. Third, implement a fast review pathway that engages independent welfare experts when flagged clips show pain or coercion, with proportionate outcomes and public guidance that educates rather than inflames.
These steps would deter harmful trends, protect animals who cannot consent, and help creators model humane handling in front of large audiences. Clear policy, swift transparency, and expert input can turn heated rumor into teachable practice while keeping pets safe.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Courtney Sargent
