Chiefs defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs surrendered to Tuscaloosa (Al.) police on Thursday after two arrest warrants for misdemeanor animal cruelty were issued for him, as reported by Ryan Phillips of Patch.com. According to an ESPN report, Buggs was released on $600 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 13.
Court documents state that two dogs, a pitbull and Rottweiler mix, were discovered by animal control at a residence rented by Buggs. The animals were described as “malnourished, emaciated, and neglected” and were found on a screened-in back porch surrounded by feces without access to food or water. The pitbull had to be euthanized at a local animal shelter due to aggression and failed heartworm treatment. The Rottweiler mix, which tested positive for Parvo and weighed only 52 pounds upon arrival at the shelter, is still under the shelter’s care pending a court decision on whether Buggs can have ownership or any animals.
Witnesses claim that Buggs had recently left the residence where the dogs were found, and it was noted that his lease was terminated for failure to pay rent. Additionally, Buggs is facing other charges related to a previous incident where he allegedly pushed a police officer and pointed a gun at a woman outside his business in April.
Buggs owns the Kings Hookah Lounge nearby, which is at the center of his legal troubles, according to his agent, Trey Robinson. Robinson suggested that local police are targeting Buggs to close the hookah lounge and offered to drop previous charges in exchange for surrendering his business license. Phillips reported that Buggs does not have a business license for the lounge, which has been cited for operating without a license, overcrowding, and failure to pay city taxes. Regarding the dogs, Robinson stated, “under no circumstance does Mr. Buggs condone the mistreatment of any animal. The dogs at issue did not belong to him, and he was unaware they were still at the property.”
Buggs, 27, was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2019 draft and signed a one-year deal with the Lions before the 2022 season. He played in all 17 games for Detroit, making a career-high 13 starts. Despite earning a two-year contract worth up to $6MM last March, he was waived in January and joined the Chiefs’ taxi squad for the playoffs but did not see any action. The Chiefs signed him to a reserve/futures deal in February.
Buggs declined to comment to reporters after leaving Tuscaloosa County Jail, and a Chiefs spokesperson stated that the team is aware of the situation but chose not to comment further.
