Former Lions DL Allegedly in Hot Water Due to Animal Cruelty

Former Lions defensive lineman faces potential charges.

Detroit Lions defensive end Isaiah Buggs runs after recovering a fumble made by Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

A former Detroit Lions defensive lineman is facing two misdemeanor warrants in Alabama for alleged animal cruelty, according to reports Wednesday.

Isaiah Buggs, who played parts of two NFL seasons with the Lions and is currently a member of the Kansas City Chiefs organization, is accused of leaving two dogs on his property locked without access to food or water.

According to Patch.com, dogs were found at a residence associated with Buggs locked on a porch without any food or water available. Additionally, another dog was found in a cage in direct sunlight without food or water.

Buggs was a member of the Lions from 2022-23. He started 13 games and played in all 17 for Detroit in 2022, where he played a vital role in the team's run-stopping efforts in Aaron Glenn's defense. However, that changed when he was surpassed on the depth chart in 2023.

He was a healthy inactive early in the year and would play in 10 games for the Lions last year. Buggs was released from the organization on Jan. 2 and landed on the Chiefs' practice squad. He did not make an appearance for the Chiefs but was retained on a futures contract this past offseason.

Buggs' agent, Trey Robinson, released a statement Wednesday afternoon denying the allegations. Robinson wrote that the charges are tied to actions that they believe the police department are taking to force the closure of Buggs' business, Kings Hookah Lounge.

"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 repuatation as part of an on-going subversive campaign to force the close of his local business Kings Hookah Lounge," a portion of the statement reads.

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

Recall, veteran cornerback Cam Sutton was released quickly stemming from a legal matter in Florida alledging domestic violence.

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