A 27-year-old man who was allegedly caught with a severely malnourished puppy in his car was arraigned on an animal cruelty charge on Tuesday.

Taunton man Devin Preeper appeared in court via a summons arraignment, and he was charged with one count of animal cruelty in connection with his puppy named “Sprout.”

Last month, West Bridgewater Police conducted a traffic stop on North Main Street for a red-light violation. Cops reportedly noticed a severely emaciated puppy in Preeper’s car.

He told officers that he had found the dog the night before in the area of Copeland Street in Brockton, and he recovered the puppy to care for it. He added that he didn’t call police or animal control since it was late in the evening, but he had called Brockton Animal Control that morning.

“While portions of the defendant’s story were corroborated — Preeper did make a call to Brockton Animal Control on November 24 prior to the traffic stop — responding officers remained skeptical of him finding and taking in the puppy the night before,” the Plymouth DA’s office wrote.

Officers told Preeper to take the puppy to the Westbridge Veterinary Referral Hospital in West Bridgewater for evaluation. While there, Preeper allegedly admitted to officers that he had owned the puppy for about 6 to 8 months, and he had been unable to properly care for it.

He added that the puppy had inadvertently consumed birth control pills and UTI medication. Preeper agreed to surrender the puppy and was told he would be charged with animal cruelty.

The puppy, since renamed Sprout, was taken to the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts for further medical treatment.

“Personnel at the shelter noted this is one of the worst starvation cases they had seen and added Sprout required 24/7 care due to the puppy’s extreme physical condition,” the DA’s office wrote. “Sprout also received care at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties.”

Related Articles

Massachusetts man accused of animal cruelty: His puppy ‘Sprout’ was severely malnourished

Massachusetts woman convicted of animal cruelty, 162 animals were rescued from property

Boston Police Blotter: Man charged with repeatedly whipping dog in face

Preeper on Tuesday was released on personal recognizance, and he was ordered to not own any domesticated animals.

The Plymouth DA’s office had requested that Preeper be held on $25,000 cash bail.

Preeper is next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 17.