Overview
- Devin Preeper, 27, pleaded not guilty to one count of animal cruelty at a Brockton District Court arraignment.
- He was released on personal recognizance under an order barring him from owning domesticated animals, after prosecutors sought $25,000 cash bail, with a Feb. 17, 2026 return date.
- West Bridgewater police say a Nov. 24 red-light stop revealed a severely emaciated 9-month-old pug mix in his car.
- Authorities report Preeper first claimed he found the dog the night before, then allegedly acknowledged owning her for six to eight months and said she ingested birth control and UTI pills.
- The defense argues the dog was already sick and that he struggled financially, while the shelter reports Sprout’s weight rising from about 6 pounds to roughly 9.