Terrence Cody assigned March arraignment date in animal cruelty case, wife indicted

Cody was arrested after being indicted for torturing and causing the death of his bullmastiff, according to a Baltimore County grand jury indictment.

A copy of the indictment, obtained by The Baltimore Sun, says Cody "did inflict unnecessary suffering or pain of an animal," did "intentionally cruelly kill an animal" and "did intentionally torture an animal."

The Ravens released Cody when he was indicted.

According to the indictment, Cody didn't provide the dog "with nutritious food in [sufficient] quantity," didn't provide the dog with "proper drink," and didn't provide "proper space" and "necessary veterinary care."

Cody's agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Sun when Cody was indicted that Cody loved the dog, is extremely distraught about its death and took it to the veterinarian for medical care. Schaffer added that Cody has two other dogs in good condition that were left in his care.

"This is all a result of the NFL allowing players to be convicted before they're tried," Schaffer said. "If Terrence wasn't a public figure, they wouldn't have ever charged him. It's just ridiculous.

"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 two felony counts are punishable by a maximum of three years in prison per count and fines up to $5,000. According to the indictment, Cody also illegally imported into Maryland a live alligator. That's a misdemeanor, punishable with a $1,000 fine.

Cody failed to provide the alligator with "nutritious food," "necessary veterinary care," and "proper space, proper shelter and proper drink," the indictment said.

Cody also faces two misdemeanor drug charges. He was charged with possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, which included a gas mask with smoking attachment, three glass smoking pipes and a long green smoking device. That's punishable with a maximum fine of $500.

Cody possessed at least 10 grams of marijuana, the indictment said. That's a misdemeanor punishable with incarceration up to one year and fines up to $1,000.

awilson@baltsun.com

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