Three police officers, a veterinary emergency services team, five detectives investigating a dogfighting ring were all honored by the Tampa City Council Thursday for their part in rescuing a dog found bloodied and tied to railroad tracks. (Source: BayNews9.com)
The veterinary staff named the dog Cabela.
Cabala was rescued and underwent surgery March 4, and two young men were arrested a short time later and jailed on dogfighting charges. Kenny Bell, 21, and Darnell Devlin, 18, are still behind bars. Both had their bonds revoked because of previous criminal offenses.
Two other people were arrested, but both were minors and won't be named unless they are charged as adults.
Bell and Devlin told police they bought Cabela for dogfighting but she was “too nice” to fight, according to court documents. After they took her out to the woods and shot her, leaving her for dead, she survived and returned to the home, police said. At that point, Bell and Devlin told the younger teens to to get rid of her, and they tied her to the tracks, police said. Officers found her after responding to reports of gunfire.
Two other dogs found at Bell’s home had injuries “consistent with dogfighting,” police said.
Meanwhile, a local Tampa station posted new video of Cabela Thursday, showing her remarkable recovery and sweet demeanor.
Previous coverage: PalmBeachPost.com
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