Overview

• Mark L. Miller, 62, pleaded not guilty in Dudley District Court after a 19-year-old sitter accused him of blocking her exit from his Southbridge home on July 11.
• He was released on $500 cash bail as attorney Nicholas Adamopoulos reiterated Miller’s innocence and eagerness to prove it at trial.
• Court documents detail that Miller stood by the door for five minutes and urged the sitter upstairs with comments such as “I don’t bite” before she fled and alerted police.
• Rover suspended the pet parent’s account once alerted to the incident, highlighting platform steps to address safety concerns.
• The case has prompted local officials and gig-economy advocates to review protections for app-based pet-care workers ahead of upcoming court dates.