Former Tide Star Isaiah Buggs Accused Of Animal Cruelty In Tuscaloosa

Buggs has been accused of animal cruelty in Tuscaloosa, per documents filed in Tuscaloosa County District Court on Wednesday.

May 29, 2024 12:26 pm CDT | Updated May 29, 2024 2:18 pm CDT

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A former Alabama football standout and current defensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs has been accused of animal cruelty in Tuscaloosa, per civil documents filed Wednesday in Tuscaloosa County District Court and obtained by Tuscaloosa Patch.

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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 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.

What’s more, those responding reported finding a black Rottweiler mix locked in a metal cage in direct sunlight with no access to food or water.

The petition said the dogs were seized on March 28 due to both being severely “malnourished, emaciated and neglected.”

The residence also appeared to be abandoned at the time of the initial call, the petition said.

A neighbor also told police that the dogs had been on the back porch for at least 10 days.

Investigators found that the house, which is owned by Omega Reality Group, was being rented to Buggs, who reportedly owns Kings Hookah Lounge on Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa.

Police also reported that his lease was terminated on April 15 due to owing $3,116.90 in back rent, with witnesses saying that Buggs had moved out of the house on or about March 19.

The pitbull was euthanized in April by Tuscaloosa County Metro Animal Shelter after becoming increasingly aggressive and failing heartworm treatment at the shelter.

The civil petition against Buggs says the black Rottweiler mix tested positive for Parvo and only weighed 52 pounds when it arrived at the shelter — a dangerously low weight for that kind of dog breed.

The rottweiler is still in the care of the Tuscaloosa County Metro Animal Shelter and pending a ruling in court over whether Buggs should be allowed to own it or any other animals.

Authorities then reportedly tried to get in touch with Buggs on March 28, but were unsuccessful and the petition says as of Wednesday that two misdemeanor warrants have been obtained for second-degree cruelty to dogs or cats.

The petition asks the court to set a hearing date within the next 10 days to determine whether Buggs is fit to have custody of the surviving dog.

Buggs, whose current address as mentioned as a residence on Joshua Street in Northport, was a primary contributor on Alabama’s 2018 national championship team and was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs when they won Super Bowl LVIII earlier this year.

Buggs was signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad in 2023 ahead of the Super Bowl run and signed a reserve/future contract with the team in February.

Originally from Ruston, Louisiana and drafted in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buggs has also played for Las Vegas Raiders and the Detroit Lions.

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