Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs has been accused of animal cruelty in Alabama in what his agent says is the latest in a Tuscaloosa city and police campaign against him.
The Tuscaloosa Patch first reported Wednesday that civil documents have been filed in Tuscaloosa County District Court alleging that two dogs were found “malnourished, emaciated and neglected” on March 28 at a property rented by Buggs.
Officers and animal control allegedly found a white pitbull on a porch, that had no access to food or water and was surrounded by bodily waste.
They also reportedly found a caged Rottweiler mix that did not have access to food or water.
Neighbors purportedly told police the dogs had been abandoned for about 10 days.
The pitbull has been euthanized and the Rottweiler was an emaciated 52 pounds when it was recovered.
Buggs moved out of the property on March 19, witnesses told police, and his lease was terminated on April 15 as he allegedly owed $3,116.90 in back rent.
According to Al.com, there are two warrants out for Buggs for misdemeanor second-degree animal cruelty.
Buggs’ agent, Trey Robinson, denied the allegations against the 27-year-old in a statement Wednesday, claiming it’s part of a conspiratorial effort by the city of Tuscaloosa to get the NFLer to close his Kings Hookah Lounge business.
“Isaiah vehemently denies the truthfulness of the allegations and charges asserted against him today. Under no circumstances does Mr. Buggs condone the mistreatment of any animal. The dogs at issue did not belong to him and he was unaware they remained at the property in question,” Robinson said in a statement to NFL Network.
“Furthermore, we believe the City of Tuscaloosa’s decision to file the charges today is part of a concerted effort by the City of Tuscaloosa and its Police Department to besmirch Mr. Buggs’ name and reputation as part of an on-going subversive campaign to force the close of his local business Kings Hookah Lounge.”
Robinson went on to assert Buggs had been arrested at the Lounge twice in the past two months, with the city using the prospect of dropping the charges in order to get him to surrender his business license.
“Mr. Buggs declined the City’s offer as he has serious concerns about the City’s and Police Department’s motivation for deciding to target his business, which he plans to bring to light as part of his defense of the allegations and charges filed against him and his reputation and business,” Robinson’s statement continued.
Buggs joined the Chiefs this past January on their practice squad before the team’s Super Bowl run, and re-signed with them in February. He appeared in 27 games for the Lions over the past two seasons, starting 16.
It’s the latest legal trouble for the Kansas City franchise as the defending NFL champions are also dealing with receiver Rashee Rice’s offseason follies, which include multiple charges stemming from a March car crash in Dallas, as well an incident in which he was accused of attacking a photographer at a nightclub in May.
Chiefs offensive tackles Wanya Morris and Chukwuebuka Godrick were arrested on May 17 for misdemeanor marijuana possession.