a 20-year-old influencer walked into a massachusetts courthouse today. he brought a dog.

chat, imagine for a moment that you have a court date. rape charges. a teenager. cape cod. the kind of morning where most people would wear their quietest shoes and their most forgettable tie.

this person brought a dog on a leash. per multiple outlets including cbs news and the guardian, the dog was reportedly barking. fox news cited an expert who called it a "support mechanism." the expert did not comment on the barking specifically.

per just jared and the cape cod chronicle, the influencer in question pleaded not guilty to the rape and drugging charges and simultaneously filed a motion to dismiss, arguing, per lamag, that police lacked sufficient evidence. rolling stone confirmed the name most of you already know: braden peters, online as clavicular, 20 years old, standing in orleans district court with a leash in his hand.

the dog is not facing charges. the motion to dismiss is pending.

anyway. the dog was the only one in that building who had a clean record and knew it.