French content creator Cyril Schreiner has come forward to admit that he orchestrated the fake kidnapping of his popular dog, Albert, describing the incident as a “very bad joke.”

Just days after claiming to have been joyfully reunited with his much-loved pug, Schreiner, 27, issued an apology, acknowledging his misguided actions in a series of posts on TikTok and Instagram on Tuesday.

Schreiner has garnered a substantial following on social media, with 8.5 million fans on TikTok and 1.5 million followers on Instagram, where he regularly shares amusing videos of Albert attempting to swipe his food.

Reflecting on the situation, the influencer admitted he had “messed up badly” over the past few days, noting that the staged kidnapping was originally intended as a “comedic” stunt. However, fans criticized the prank as “cruel.”

“I acted stupidly, and I apologize publicly. Whether you accept my apology or not, I never meant to disrespect individuals who have genuinely lost pets. I can’t imagine how terrible that must be,” Schreiner expressed.

Last month, Schreiner rented a house and fabricated surveillance footage to create the illusion that Albert had been abducted.

Daily Mail has reached out to Schreiner for comment. 

French content creator Cyril Schreiner, 27, admitted that he faked the kidnapping of his famous dog, Albert, stating it was a ‘very bad joke’

Days after he claimed he was reunited with the internet-beloved pug, Schreiner backtracked and apologized, revealing that he ‘acted stupidly’ by staging the prank 

Later, on February 5th, Schreiner posted an Instagram photo with the pup, where he looked teary-eyed after being ‘reunited’ with Albert. 

Schreiner said the initial video was ‘obviously comedic,’ adding that Albert was not involved in its creation as he used a sack of potatoes in his place.

‘I wanted to create entertainment,’ he explained. ‘And that’s what I’ve been doing for you for one week, but I did it really in the worst way.’

He said, ‘In the end, I’m still happy that it made you laugh’ though he shared he didn’t realize people would ‘be so involved emotionally in this story.’ 

Upon reflection, he admitted that ‘there are things you shouldn’t joke about.’

Schreiner shared that the past year has been ‘really difficult,’ and that he has tried to keep his private life ‘separate from his life online.’

‘In recent years, what I was doing on social media pleased me less and less. I was enjoying it less. I was making videos almost automatically,’ he said.

He also denied that he did the stunt to get more followers and make money.

‘I actually lost partnerships, credibility, and a lot of money in this situation.’

Last month Schreiner rented out a house and staged surveillance footage that made it seem as though Albert had been kidnapped 

Schreiner said that over the past few days he realized he ‘messed up badly’ and that his dog’s kidnapping was initially meant to be ‘comedic’, as fans blasted him for the ‘cruel’ joke

Commenters expressed their disappointment, writing that Albert’s faux kidnapping was not at all humorous

‘Creating all of this cost me a lot of money and brought in almost nothing. Social media doesn’t pay like it used to,’ he explained.

At the end of the video he said he wanted to ‘apologize again to anyone I hurt’, adding, ‘My only goal has always been to share joy and positivity.’

Commenters expressed their disappointment, writing that Albert’s faux kidnapping was not at all humorous.

‘It’s cruel. I feel betrayed, i was checking few times a day if Albert is okay, translating every post cause i dont speak french. Im sorry, but this was not funny at any point,’ one follower wrote via TikTok. 

‘This is an insult to the people who are living this nightmare,’ one person commented.

Another one wrote that the video ‘made NOBODY laugh.’

‘That’s incredible messed up man. Such bad taste. These are people having dogs being stolen for real, this is not ok. I defended you because I thought no one would so something like this but apparently yes.’

‘Cyril I was devastated thinking Albert was gone forever, why did you do this,’ another person commented.’

Schreiner has earned a massive social media following, with 8.5 million fans on TikTok and 1.5 million on Instagram, frequently sharing humorous clips of Albert trying to steal his food

‘Sorry but nope. Trust is broken.’

‘Playing with people’s feelings and time under the pretext of “entertainment” is a real problem.’

Schreiner also has another pug named Tina who features in his videos as well.

In the caption of his apology video, Schreiner said that any money earned from his recent posts will be donated to animal welfare groups.