Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs is facing animal cruelty charges in Alabama, which his attorney says is the latest in a campaign against him by the city and police in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa Patch First reported Civil documents were filed Wednesday in Tuscaloosa County District Court alleging that on March 28, two dogs were found “malnourished, emaciated and neglected” at a property Buggs was renting.
Officers and animal control allegedly found a white pit bull on the porch, where the dog was denied food or water and surrounded by excrement.
They also found a Rottweiler crossbreed dog in a cage without food or water.
Neighbors told police the dogs had been left there for about 10 days.
The pit bull was euthanized and the Rottweiler was emaciated and weighed just 52 pounds when retrieved.
Witnesses told police that Buggs moved out of the property on March 19 and his lease was terminated on April 15 after he owed $3,116.90 in back rent.
according to AldotcomTwo warrants have been issued for Buggs’ arrest for second-degree misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Buggs’ agent, Trey Robinson, in a statement Wednesday denied the allegations against the 27-year-old player and claimed they were part of a conspiracy by the city of Tuscaloosa to force NFL players to shut down King’s Hooker Lounge.
“Isaiah strongly denies the veracity of the allegations and charges filed against him today. Under no circumstances does Mr. Buggs condone the abuse of any animals. The dog in question is not his property and he had no knowledge that a dog had remained on the property in question,” Robinson said in a statement to NFL Network.
“Furthermore, we believe that the City of Tuscaloosa’s decision to file charges today is part of a joint effort by the City of Tuscaloosa and the Police Department to tarnish Mr. Buggs’ good name and reputation as part of an ongoing campaign of vandalism to force the closure of Mr. Buggs’ local business, King’s Hooker Lounge.”
Robinson also alleged that Buggs had been arrested twice at the lounge in the past two months and that the city was trying to use the possibility of dropping the charges to get Buggs to give up his business license.
“Mr. Buggs has serious concerns about the motives behind the city and police deciding to target his company and has declined the city’s offer. He intends to disclose those motives as part of his defense against the allegations and charges brought against him, his reputation and his company,” Robinson’s statement continued.
Buggs joined the Chiefs’ practice squad in January before their Super Bowl appearance and re-signed in February. He has played in 27 games for the Lions over the past two seasons, starting 16 of them.
This is the latest legal trouble for the Kansas City franchise, as the defending NFL champions also dealt with offseason missteps by wide receiver Ruthie Rice, which included multiple charges stemming from a car crash in Dallas in March and an alleged assault on a photographer at a nightclub in May.
Chiefs offensive tackles Wanya Morris and Chukwuebuka Godrick were arrested May 17 on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession.
