Bermuda's NFL star Antonio Pierce has pleaded guilty to neglecting his pet pit bulls.

The New York Giants linebacker appeared in municipal court in Monroe Township in New Jersey last Thursday and agreed to pay a $1,300 fine.

Authorities said one of the dogs was severely underweight and suffering from a respiratory illness. They also said Pierce and his girlfriend let the dogs run loose and failed to get them rabies shots.

Jocelyn Maldanado also pleaded guilty and was fined $1,300.

A lawyer for the couple said the dogs were given away as part of the plea agreement.

The dogs were discovered running around a neighbour's yard in late January, the week before the Giants upset the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl.