DL Isaiah Buggs convicted of animal cruelty charges, is appealing

Field Level Media|published: Fri 26th July, 14:27 2024

Detroit Lions defensive end Isaiah Buggs (96) walks off the field after recovering the fumble from Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs is appealing his conviction on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, AL.com reported Friday.

Buggs, a former Alabama standout who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on June 24, was convicted July 19. Judge Joanne Jannik of the Tuscaloosa County District Court sentenced him to 365 days of hard labor and ordered him to serve 60 days.

The remainder of the sentence was suspended for two years with the "behavior of the defendant" to be taken into account, per the report. He also was ordered not to possess any guns, and Jannik said he couldn't own any dogs or cats.

In Alabama, hard labor is defined as work on public assets, such as roads and bridges.

Buggs, 27, signed a one-year $1.29 million contract with $350,000 in guarantees in February with the Chiefs. The team released him following his third offseason arrest, that one a domestic violence/burglary charge in Tuscaloosa County in June.

In May, he was charged with animal cruelty in Tuscaloosa after two dogs under his care -- a pitbull and a Rottweiler mix -- were found to be neglected and severely malnourished, AL.com reported. One of the dogs had to be euthanized.

In April, he was arrested on misdemeanor charges at a hookah lounge he formerly owned after he allegedly shoved the Tuscaloosa police chief.

Buggs was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Pittsburgh and the past two with the Detroit Lions, who released him in January.

He has played in 56 games (23 starts) and posted 89 tackles, 12 quarterback hits and two sacks. He returned one fumble for 33 yards.

--Field Level Media