NFL Player Terrence Cody Arrested for Dog & Alligator Animal Abuse, Possession of Weed; Former Baltimore Raven Facing 3 Years Jail

NFL player Terrence Cody has been indicted on animal cruelty charges and marijuana possession following incidents of abuse involving a dog and an alligator. A former second round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens, Cody was released by the team on Monday, and turned himself into authorities after a warrant was issued. It followed an investigation after Cody took his dog to a veterinarian clinic where it subsequently died. He posted a $10,000 bail, and is reportedly not being investigated for dog fighting.

Terrence Cody, cut by the Ravens today, has been indicted on an animal cruelty charge. https://t.co/3i5x5Z4O4c

— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) February 2, 2015

According to The Baltimore Sun, Cody was charged with two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty - which could result in three years in prison - as well as five other misdemeanor counts of animal abuse/neglect involving the dog. There was also one count of illegally possessing the alligator, and five further counts of animal abuse or neglect regarding the alligator. Cody - who played for the Ravens for five years - was also charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Terrence Cody among #Ravens' misses in 2010 draft https://t.co/Lwr6vvZoyM

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) February 3, 2015

ESPN's Jamison Hensley reported the charges Cody is facing as follows:

•  Two counts of aggravated animal cruelty involving a dog described as a Presa Canario Mastiff. Those are both felonies and carry a maximum incarceration of three years.
•  Five counts of animal abuse or neglect involving the same dog.
•  One count of illegal possession of an alligator.
•  Five counts of animal abuse or neglect involving the alligator.
•  One count of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
•  One count of possession of marijuana.

As Deadspin point out, "the Ravens officially released Terrence Cody [Monday] after announcing the move on Jan. 23."

Terrence Cody indicted on animal cruelty charges, including illegal possession of an alligator: https://t.co/iVIR1JjD0y

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) February 2, 2015

The Baltimore Sun report Cody's agent Peter Schaffer as blaming the NFL "allowing players to be convicted before they're tried." In an interview with the paper, the agent added that Cody being a public figure is the reason he was charged, and that it's "just ridiculous."

Schaffer continued, telling The Sun, "If he was treating the dog so poorly, why would he take it to the veterinarian? They are trying to say he wanted the dog dead, which makes no sense because he loved the dog."

The Ravens have terminated the contract of DT Terrence Cody: https://t.co/lQcl1cXxY9 pic.twitter.com/ZNG3xRRAfm

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 2, 2015

"He's done nothing wrong," Schaffer added. "This could potentially affect his career adversely, and I'm not going to let it happen. This is a quality young man who's a true animal lover. He wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone a dog."

Another NFL off-season is underway. Johnny Manziel enters rehab. Ravens release NT Terrence Cody when he's indicted for animal cruelty.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 2, 2015