Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service Archives

No Jail Time for Loser Who Used Cabela for Fighting Purposes

Earlier this year, Kenny Bell of Tampa, Fla., bought a Pit Bull mix, later named Cabela, to participate in dog fights at his house. But when Cabela proved to be a lover, not a fighter, Bell ordered Natwan Callaway and Bobby Hollinger, both 17, to get rid of her. Callaway shot Cabela three times and tied her to railroad tracks.

In court today, Bell pleaded guilty to possessing a dog for dog-fighting purposes. He barely got a slap on the wrist from the judge.

In a deal reached with the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office, Bell was sentenced to 48 months probation (for which he’s eligible for release in just two years), 150 hours of community service and ordered to pay up to $1,000 in restitution to Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Services (TBVES), ABC Action News reports. He cannot own an animal — but only while he’s on probation..

“For the record, I just want to state that I’m sorry about what happened to the dog Cabela,” Bell told the judge. “I never planned for that to happen. I never thought nothing like that would happen to the dog.”

Bell’s attorney told ABC Action News that his client has been getting lots of hate mail in jail and has been “wrongly characterized.” In other words, shame on the media for its negative portrayal of someone who makes a living fighting dogs to the death!

Bell was the first of four defendants to go to trial in Cabela’s case. Callaway, who confessed to shooting her, will be tried as an adult in August. He’s facing felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and armed trespassing, and misdemeanor charges of abandonment of an animal and being a minor in possession of a firearm. The 17-year-old has a rap sheet going back three years that includes robbery, burglary and grand theft, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

“Enjoy your time in a cage, where you will still be treated better than you ever treated her and the other dogs,” wrote TBVES on its Facebook page in March. “She is sure the other inmates will be impressed with your high level of sophistication and the cruelty of your actions! Have a great life, she certainly is on to better things!”

That’s for sure. Ever since Cabela was rescued by Tampa police officers Nick Wilson and Sgt. R. Mills as a train was approaching, the sweet Pit Bull mix has made a remarkable recovery.

TBVES announced on its Facebook page today that although adoption offers have poured in from as far away as Sweden, Cabela has been officially adopted by one of the volunteers who worked with her. She will serve as an ambassador for the clinic that helped save her life.

Photos via Facebook

Tampa Honors Heroes Who Saved Dog Shot and Tied to Train Tracks

Three police officers, a veterinary hospital team and five detectives received well-deserved honors at today’s meeting of the Tampa City Council for helping to save the life of Cabela, a Pit Bull mix who was tied to railroad tracks and shot multiple times earlier this month.

“I’m humbled by the whole thing,” said Sr. Sgt. Rich Mills (the police officer at the podium in the photo above), according t Bay News 9. “And I’m just glad that we were able to get Cabela help and were able to bring awareness. And I’m very glad the community came together the way it did to solve a crime in their community, and we were able to arrest who we arrested.”

Responding to a call about shots being fired on the night of March 4, Mills and fellow police officer Nick Wilson found Cabela tied to the tracks with a belt. They were able to free her as a train was approaching.

“Cabela was helpless,” Mills said. “She wasn’t crying, she wasn’t whimpering. There was just no emotion, except for she was literally looking at us like, ‘Please help me.’ “

The officers rushed Cabela to Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service (TBVES). She had been shot three times in the neck and shoulder. Dr. Jamie Davidson initially thought Cabela’s shattered right front leg would need to be amputated, but was able to save it during surgery.

Thanks to a surveillance video, detectives were able to identify and arrest the four thugs involved in Cabela’s shooting. Cabela had been bought for dog-fighting purposes, but was too sweet tempered. On March 4, Bobby Hollinger, 17, threw her into the woods and fired a few shots at her. But Cabela ran back to his house and sat, bleeding, on the porch. So Hollinger, along with losers Natwan Callaway, Darnell N. Devlin and Kenny Bell, walked the injured dog to the railroad tracks and tied her down with a belt. Callaway, who’s also 17, shot Cabela three times in the neck and right shoulder.

Callaway and Hollinger, who will be tried as adults, are scheduled for a court appearance on April 8. If convicted on dog-fighting charges, Devlin and Bell face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Considering her injuries, Cabela continues to make an amazing recovery, and is currently living with a foster family. She can be seen happily interacting with other dogs in a video WFTS reporter Jamison Uhler posted on Twitter today.

TBVES rescue coordinator Steven Pahl told the Tampa Bay Times March 12 that the hospital has received adoption inquiries from all 50 states and several other countries.

When Cabela is ready for a loving forever home, TBVES and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay will start the adoption process, Pahl said.

Photo via Facebook

Amazing Progress for Cabela, the Dog Tied to Railroad Tracks and Shot

Although she was shot three times by a 17-year-old thug and then tied to railroad tracks, a sweet Pit Bull mix named Cabela defied the odds and is getting better and better each day.

Cabela was released yesterday from Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service (TBVES), where she’d been staying since the night of March 4, when hero Tampa police officers Nick Wilson and Sr. Sgt. Rich Mills untied her from the tracks as a train was approaching.

“She has left the building to go into super secret, never to be revealed, protective custody. Hiding: to heal, socialize and begin her transition to a new life,” TBVES wrote in an update on its Facebook page yesterday.

Cabela Wouldn’t Kill, So Thugs Tried to Kill Her

Cabela had been bought for dog-fighting purposes. But since she was too sweet tempered to viciously kill other dogs, a group of losers decided to viciously kill her.

On March 4, after Cabela had proven to be a lover, not a fighter, Bobby Hollinger, 17, threw her into the woods and fired a few shots at her. But Cabela ran back to his house and sat, bleeding, on the porch. So Hollinger and three other monsters walked the injured dog to the railroad tracks and tied her down with a belt. Natwan Callaway, also 17, shot Cabela three times in the neck and right shoulder.

Thanks to a surveillance video, investigators were able to identify the criminals. Callaway and Hollinger were arrested on animal cruelty charges March 11. The next day, Darnell N. Devlin and Kenny Bell — who said they were Cabela’s owners — were charged with possession of a fighting dog after evidence of a fighting operation was found in their home, including two dogs with bite injuries.

Callaway and Hollinger will be tried as adults. They are scheduled for a court appearance on April 8.

As for Devlin and Bell, Hillsborough Circuit Judge John Conrad denied bond for both of them. In Florida, a felony dog-fighting conviction can result in up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

“Darnell and Kenny, Cabela sends her best wishes for each of you into the future and is thankful that your accomplices were such bad shots and bumbling criminals.” TBVES wrote on its Facebook page yesterday.

“Enjoy your time in a cage where you will still be treated better than you ever treated her and the other dogs. She is sure the other inmates will be impressed with your high level of sophistication and the cruelty of your actions! Have a great life, she certainly is on to better things!”

Amen.

Cabela’s Amazing Recovery

When Cabela was admitted to TBVES, the staff did not predict a great outcome for her, due to her severe injuries. (By the way, Cabela got her new name from vet technician Teena Hicks, who’s a fan of country singer Luke Bryan. The sporting-goods retailer Cabela’s is sponsoring Bryan’s tour.)

Veterinarian Dr. Jamie Davidson initially thought Cabela’s shattered right front leg would need to be amputated, but fortunately it was saved.

“Cabela came through surgery with flying colors and four legs,” TBVES wrote on its Facebook page March 5. “The surgeon decided to pin it instead of amputation. It will be 6 to 8 weeks before we know whether she will regain full use and motion.”

When Cabela’s original owners saw media coverage of her rescue, they contacted Tampa police. They claimed at the time that she had either escaped or been stolen from their yard four months ago. It seemed strange that, after reuniting with their dog last week, they decided not to bring her home. Apparently their decision was not all that strange: They had actually sold Cabela, according to the Tampa Bay Times, but not to Devlin or Bell, the owners said.

TBVES rescue coordinator Steven Pahl told the Tampa Bay Times the hospital has received adoption inquiries from all 50 states and several other countries.

When Cabela is ready for a loving forever home, TBVES and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay will start the adoption process, Pahl said.

This video taken Thursday shows the amazing progress this sweet girl has made, just one week after her surgery. Look at that tail wag!

Donations Pour in From Around the World — and a Certain Namesake

TBVES is covering the cost of Cabela’s veterinary care, but is accepting donations via its website.

“All donations above what is necessary to cover the cost of Cabela’s care will be used for other animals rescued by Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service (last year over 500 injured, ill or orphaned dogs and cats were cared for at our hospital) or will help care for injured or ill pets whose owners are financially limited,” the website states.

When Cabela’s heard about its namesake, the company sent the dog a care package “in a box as big as Cabela’s kennel,” TBVES wrote on its Facebook page. It included a bed, toys, treats and a metal food bowl with the name, “Cabela’s.”

Photos via Facebook

Good and Surprising News for Tampa Dog Rescued from Railroad Tracks

MARCH 11, 2015 UPDATE: Two 17-year-olds have been arrested and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty in this case.

After Tampa police officers Nick Wilson and Sgt. R. Mills rescued a Pit Bull mix who’d been shot and tied to railroad tracks Wednesday, her prognosis was not too good.

Although she’d been shot twice in the neck and once in the right shoulder, the dog was expected to survive. But Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service (TBVES) veterinarian Jamie Davidson, who named the dog Cabela, thought her shattered right front leg would need to be amputated.

The good news: Cabela’s leg has been saved.

“Cabela came through surgery with flying colors and four legs,” TBVES posted on its Facebook page Friday. “The surgeon decided to pin it instead of amputation. It will be 6 to 8 weeks before we know whether she will regain full use and motion.”

The rather surprising and sad news: Cabela’s owners saw media coverage of her rescue and contacted the Tampa police department. They said she either escaped or was stolen from their yard four months ago — and, after reuniting with their dog this week, they decided not to bring her home.

“After a long visit where they were able to touch and cuddle with Cabela, they have made the decision to relinquish ownership and allow Cabela to be placed for adoption once her police hold is lifted,” TBVES reported on its Facebook page Friday.

TBVES is covering the cost of Cabela’s veterinary care, but is accepting donations via its website.

The Tampa police department is still investigating this case and getting many leads, according to USA Today.

A $5,500 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. The reward money was donated by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay. To contribute to the reward fund, click here.

Anyone with information is asked to call 813-231-6130 or 800-873-TIPS, text CSTB plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or submit your tip via the Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay website.

“Meanwhile, Cabela is resting comfortably, on the road to a full recovery and preparing for her new life!” TBVES wrote on its Facebook page Friday.

Photos via Facebook