Maryland: Former Raven DT Terrence Cody Sentenced To 9 Months In Animal Cruelty Case

MARYLAND -- Former Raven Terrence Cody begins serving a jail sentence. Cody was sentenced to nine months in the Baltimore County Detention Center in an animal cruelty case.

Cody was found guilty of negligence leading to the death of his dog, Taz. According to the vet, Cody let the dog, a canary mastiff, starve to death.

Cody paid $8,000 to purchase and import Taz, a Canary mastiff, from Spain.

Terrence Cody arrived at court Thursday morning for sentencing in the case of his dog, Taz. The former Raven nose tackle was indicted last year for animal cruelty and neglect after his canary mastiff died of starvation. It was barely breathing when he brought it to a vet.

 

“That dog didn’t deserve what happened to it.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Lippe tells WJZ this case represents the importance of caring for animals.

“His celebrity status meant just that he should have known better, that was more of his problem than anyone else’s. He was a guy that portrayed himself as knowledgeable about animals–he knew about animals, he’s trained animals, he owned animals–but he turned on this one dog,” said Lippe.

Cody was convicted of neglect, and his attorney told WJZ on Thursday the court did not find him guilty of aggravated animal abuse because his actions were not intentional.

PETA released the following statement:

PETA wonders how many times the NFL has to be asked to enroll its players in an empathy training program—and when cruelty to animals, children, and women will be grounds to be chucked out of the game? The Baltimore Ravens cut Terrence Cody over cruelty allegations last year, which is to the team’s credit, but it seems that even if Cody had been caught on tape starving his dog in an elevator, the NFL still would have welcomed him back. All eyes are on the NFL to make it clear that the gridiron should be home to compassionate players like Tyrann Mathieu, Jarvis Landry, and Stevie Johnson, not a breeding ground for bullies.

Cody’s girlfriend Kourtney J. Kelley, 28, was also convicted of neglecting the dog.

The Ravens released Terrence Cody after his conviction.

Another article said Cody and his uncle were running a Presa Canario breeding business in Alabama.

(CBS Local - March 24, 2016)

Earlier:

• Terrence Cody under investigation for animal cruelty, report says, as Ravens announce his release
• Terrence Cody's animal-cruelty trial opens with photos of emaciated dog
• Terrence Cody starved his dog to death - a "horrible, miserable death". Maryland law says it is a felony to cruelly kill your pet. However, Judge Judith C. Ensor dismisses felony charges.