Ex-Raider Faces Battery, Leash Counts

Former Los Angeles Raiders defensive back Odis McKinney was charged Friday with battery on a peace officer and violation of the city’s leash law for an incident last month in which a Los Angeles animal-control officer was assaulted in a Woodland Hills park, the city attorney’s office announced.

If convicted of battery, a misdemeanor, McKinney, 30, of Woodland Hills could be sentenced to a maximum of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. If found guilty of violating the leash law, which prohibits unleashed dogs in public places, McKinney could be fined $20, said Mike Qualls, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office.

The charges arise from a July 5 attack in Warner Park on Michael J. Morrisey, a city animal-control officer, Qualls said.

The officer spotted McKinney’s dog, a chow, running loose in the park and told McKinney to put his dog on a leash, Qualls said, but McKinney ignored him and kept walking. Morrisey then ran after the dog and attached a rope to him, Qualls said.

“McKinney stopped and took his dog off the rope and then walked on,” he said.

The officer followed him onto the sidewalk on Marylee Street where McKinney grabbed Morrisey, put his hands around his neck, lifted him into the air and pushed him up against a parked car, Qualls said. McKinney then went home.

The officer followed him to his home on Marylee Street and arrested him. McKinney, a nine-year NFL veteran, was taken to West Valley Police Station and released on $500 bail, Qualls said.

His arraignment in Van Nuys Municipal Court is scheduled for Aug. 17.