Chiefs DT Isaiah Buggs Accused of Animal Cruelty in Tuscaloosa

According to Wednesday reports, Buggs is faced with civil allegations of animal cruelty and is expected to face two misdemeanor criminal charges.

Dec 8, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiah Buggs (96) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: Buggs turned himself in at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Thursday, according to CBS 42 in Alabama. His bond was set at $300 for each charge, with him subsequently posting the bond and being released. Buggs' hearing for this case is set for June 13.

The original story from Wednesday resumes below.

Since winning Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs have dealt with numerous off-the-field distractions. Some pertain to players making waves with their words, whereas others' actions have found them in hot water.

The latest development pertains to defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs, who was re-signed earlier this offseason.

According to reports from Ryan Phillips of the Tuscaloosa Patch and Mike Rodak of 247Sports, Tuscaloosa police have obtained two misdemeanor warrants against Buggs for second-degree cruelty to dogs or cats. A civil court filing in Tuscaloosa County on Wednesday revealed the news.

"Isaiah Buggs, 27, is expected to face misdemeanor criminal charges in the case but the civil petition says that on March 28, the Tuscaloosa Police Department received information of two dogs being left on the back porch of 5153 Diamond Circle," the Patch story reads. "The petition goes on to say that when TPD and the City of Tuscaloosa's Animal Control officers arrived, they found a grey and white pitbull on the screened-in back porch surrounded in feces, with no access to food or water."

Additionally, responders to the situation reported a black Rottweiler mix dog "locked in a metal cage in direct sunlight with no access to food or water."

According to the petition, both animals were taken on March 28 and the pitbull has since been euthanized. The Rottweiler reportedly tested positive for Parvo and weighed just 52 pounds at its time of arrival at the shelter. A court ruling would determine whether Buggs can continue as its owner — or the owner of any animal.

Rodak's story indicates that Tuscaloosa County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Marshall wrote about the dogs being found "severely malnourished, emaciated, neglected and the residence appearing to be abandoned."

Buggs reportedly owed over $3,000 in rent payments and, per a neighbor, the dogs were on the back porch for "at least 10 days."

Buggs signed with Kansas City last season following his release from the Detroit Lions. The former sixth-round pick didn't play in the Chiefs' regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, nor in the postseason. He remains on the roster as of the publishing of this article as a depth piece alongside players like Neil Farrell Jr., Mike Pennel and more.

Buggs' agent, Trey Robinson, issued a statement in the aftermath Wednesday's news.

"Isaiah vehemently denies the truthfulness of the allegations and charges asserted against him today," the statement begins. "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 remained at the property in question. 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."

The rest of the statement, via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network on X, can be read below.

Statement from #Chiefs DL Isaiah Buggs’ agent, Trey Robinson, who says his client has been the subject of police harassment and arrested two times over his refusal to close his Tuscaloosa hookah joint. pic.twitter.com/jX1aolYQLy

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 29, 2024

Arrowhead Report on SI.com will provide additional details when and if appropriate.