Dog’s Walk in Park Leads to Arrest of Odis McKinney, Raider Player

A Los Angeles Raiders defensive back was arrested outside his Woodland Hills apartment Sunday evening on suspicion of battery on a peace officer and violation of the leash law after an altercation with an animal-regulation officer, authorities said.

Odis McKinney, 30, may also be charged with retaking property taken by a peace officer, Los Angeles police officer Al Longobardi said.

Longobardi said McKinney confronted animal-regulation officer Michael Morrisey, who had just caught the football player’s red chow dog as it ran loose in Warner Park.

McKinney released the officer’s restraining device from the dog’s neck and warned him not to put it on again, Longobardi said.

McKinney, who is listed in the National Football League Register as 6-2 and 190 pounds, then pushed the officer against his truck, Longobardi said.

McKinney took the dog back to his apartment, adjacent to the park on Marylee Street, put the dog inside and waited outside until police arrived at 5:20 p.m.

He was released on bail later in the evening.

McKinney has had a patchwork career with the Raiders since joining the team in a 1980 trade. He was released in 1985, played five games for the Kansas City Chiefs, rejoined the Raiders and then was released and picked up again last season, according to the NFL Register.

McKinney broke into the National Football League in 1978 and played two seasons with the New York Giants.