Former Alabama football star and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman, Isaiah Buggs, has been convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges by Tuscaloosa County District Judge Joanne Jannik. The 27-year-old Buggs was found guilty on two counts of animal cruelty and was sentenced to 365 days of hard labor, with 60 days to be served immediately. The remaining sentence will be suspended for two years, pending Buggs' behavior.

As part of the sentence, Judge Jannik ordered Buggs not to possess any firearms and banned him from owning cats or dogs. Buggs has decided to appeal the conviction and the sentence to the circuit court.

This conviction adds to Buggs' legal troubles, as he is still facing other charges in Tuscaloosa County. Following these legal issues, Buggs was released from the Kansas City Chiefs. Prior to playing in the NFL, Buggs was a standout player at the University of Alabama from 2017 to 2018.

The animal cruelty charges stemmed from an incident on March 28, when Tuscaloosa police received information about two dogs being left on the back porch of a home. When authorities arrived, they discovered a grey and white pitbull covered in feces on the screened-in porch, and a black rottweiler mix locked in a metal cage without access to food or water. Both animals were severely malnourished and neglected. The dogs were seized because the residence appeared to be abandoned.

The investigation revealed that the house had been rented by Buggs, with witnesses stating that he moved out around March 19. A notice of termination had been served on Buggs on April 15 due to unpaid rent. Despite efforts to contact Buggs, authorities were unable to reach him.

Tragically, the pitbull had to be euthanized at the Tuscaloosa County Metro Animal Shelter at the end of April due to increasing aggressiveness and failed heartworm treatment.

At this time, Buggs has not obtained legal representation, according to court records. His agent, Trey Robinson, has previously stated that the dogs were not Buggs' and that he was unaware they were still at the rental property.

In addition to the animal cruelty charges, Buggs also faces charges of second-degree domestic violence and second-degree burglary, stemming from an incident in June. Court documents allege that Buggs broke into his ex-girlfriend's apartment and assaulted her, leaving her with scratch marks and broken toenails.

Buggs was also involved in an altercation at the Kings Hookah Lounge, where he was arrested twice for misdemeanors, including an incident in which he allegedly shoved Police Chief Brent Blankley. The lounge has since been shut down.

With his appeal pending and ongoing legal battles, Buggs' future in football remains uncertain. The former NFL player will have to await the outcome of his trials to determine the full extent of the consequences he will face.