Prosecutors said a 27-year-old man appeared in Brockton District Court on Tuesday in connection with what authorities described as a serious animal cruelty case.
Devin Preeper is accused after police stopped him in West Bridgewater in November and discovered a 9-month-old pug mix named Sprout inside his vehicle in a severely malnourished condition.
According to prosecutors, the dog showed signs of extreme neglect, including a lack of muscle mass and very low energy levels. A prosecutor told the court that the dog was unable to walk properly and frequently fell while moving.
Authorities stated that veterinarians determined the dog had not been fed adequately for an extended period of time and described the condition as one of the most severe cases of animal abuse they had encountered.
Prosecutors said Preeper initially claimed he found the dog in that condition but later admitted that Sprout belonged to him.
During court proceedings, prosecutors stated that Preeper acknowledged the dog was already unwell when he first received her. They added that he told investigators he became overwhelmed due to unemployment and his girlfriend’s pregnancy.
Preeper entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
Defense attorneys argued that the dog was already sick when Preeper took possession of her and pushed back against claims of intentional neglect.
The defense stated that food and water were made available to the dog and that she became ill after eating. The attorney added that Preeper attempted to care for the animal but was unable to continue treatment due to financial difficulties.
The case remains pending in Brockton District Court as legal proceedings continue.
