This is certainly not the type of situation the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to be in now that their season is officially over.
According to TMZ, the Buccaneers are investigating DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches for dog abandonment at the beginning of last month. Nunez-Roches’ Cane Corso (pit bull) was abandoned on the side of a busy road for 36 hours before an animal rescue group found the dog and took it to the shelter on December 8. Per the report, officials contacted Nunez-Roches (who is also a dog breeder) to let them know they had his dog, Jitterbug.
Here’s what the official at the shelter said about the conversation:
“[Nunez-Roches] had responded back that he would pick her up on Sunday, which I thought was odd because they played Detroit on Sunday and they had a 4:25 game, so how would he get back in time to pick her up at 7? Was football more important?”
Nunez-Roches never picked up his dog.
The Bucs released a statement on the matter, too.
“We are aware of the issue regarding Rakeem Nunez-Roches and are in the process of gathering additional information. We will refrain from further comment until we have a better understanding of the situation.”
We’ll have to wait for the investigation to conclude before drawing judgement, but if this is a case of dog abandonment, let’s hope the Bucs and authorities take the appropriate measures when it comes to issuing punishment for Nunez-Roches. Only the most callous person would strand a poor defenseless animal on the side of a busy road and not think twice about it.
There is some good news to report, though. Jitterbug has found a new forever home! Here’s hoping she has several happy years ahead of her.
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