Overview
- Akeem Pierre, 42, pleaded not guilty in Dorchester District Court to animal cruelty and cruelty by a custodian.
- Judge Thomas Kaplanes released Pierre on personal recognizance with conditions including no contact with the dog, surrender of any animals, weekly probation reporting, sobriety, and a mental health evaluation.
- Prosecutors requested $2,000 bail, which the judge denied.
- The case followed June footage sent to the MSPCA and police that showed a man whipping, dragging, and lifting a dog by its leash.
- The MSPCA says Pluto was found to have no physical injuries and has been adopted, while the defense reports a competency exam found Pierre not fit to stand trial.