Former Ravens defensive tackle Terrence Cody was acquitted of two serious animal cruelty charges, but found guilty of several misdemeanors, including possession of marijuana and an alligator.
(Yes, that sentence was just written, and you just read it correctly.)
According to Alison Knezevich of the Baltimore Sun, Cody faces jail time and fines stemming from the January death of his dog Taz, who starved to death at his former home according to prosecutors.
The former Ravens defensive tackle was found not guilty of two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. But Judge Judith C. Ensor convicted him of five other counts related to the dog, along with illegally possessing an alligator and of neglecting the alligator and drug and paraphernalia charges.
Cody’s lawyer insisted that his client was neglectful, but didn’t intend to hurt the dog, saying he paid $8,000 to import Taz from Spain, and took him to the vet hours before he died. The dog once weighed over 100 pounds, but was less than 50 pounds when it died, according to prosecutors.
Cody is scheduled for sentencing in January, and faces more than a year in jail plus fines.
The Ravens released the former second-rounder in February. There was no word on the condition of the alligator.