Former Alabama player Isaiah Buggs to serve 60 days hard labor following animal cruelty conviction

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A former Alabama Crimson Tide football player who has been embroiled in controversy after two dogs were found starving on his property earlier this year will be forced to spend a couple of months of hard labor for Tuscaloosa after being convicted of animal cruelty.

Isaiah Buggs, who most recently played for the Kansas City Chiefs before being let go last month due to his arrest, was sentenced to 365 days of hard labor for Tuscaloosa County after being convicted of a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty. Buggs, who pleaded not guilty in the case, will only be required to serve 60 days of the sentence, with the remaining time to be suspended for two years pending good behavior.

On March 28, officers with the Tuscaloosa Police Department were called to a home Buggs rented on Diamond Circle on a report of two dogs were left on the back porch for days without food and water, as well as surrounded by feces. One of the dogs was eventually put down while the other was treated.

Buggs, who played for the Tide between 2017-18, turned himself over to police two days later.

As part of his sentencing, Buggs will not be allowed to own or be around any firearms, as well as be barred from owning a dog or cat.

Buggs is currently appealing the conviction.