The high-profile case of abused dog “Cabela” began in Tampa court on Monday.

Cabela was shot, tied to railroad tracks, and left to die earlier this year in the Sulfur Springs area. While Cabela is doing better, four people – two teens and two adults – were arrested on March 12th and charged in her abuse.

On Monday, the jury trial began for what is being described as “one of the worst animal abuse cases in Tampa.” The trial was for one man arrested in her abuse, 21-year-old Kenny Bell. 

Bell plead guilty to one count of dog fighting and multiple misdemeanor counts. He was sentenced to 48 months of probation, 150 hours of community service. He is ordered to pay $1000 restitution to Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service.

Also arrested was Natwan Callway, 17, Darnell Devlin, 18, and Bobby Hollinger, 17. All four are accused of being involved in a dog fighting ring, and abusing Cabela for being “too nice.” If they are found guilty, they will pay part of the restitution as well.

Bell will never be allowed to own another animal. He apologized to the court Monday. He attorney proved that he had nothing to do with the shooting of the dog. 

Police officers and Hillsborough County Animal Services conducted a search warrant at a home on North 16th Street where they say Cabela lived before the shooting. Investigators say they found two additional dogs that had injuries consistent with dog fighting. Detectives say they also discovered evidence of dog fighting in the backyard.

Investigators say Devlin and Bell admitted to owning the dogs as well as Cabela. Both men were charged with two counts of possessing a dog for dog fighting.

Alicia Young, the mother of Darnell Devlin and Kenny Bell, insists her boys are innocent and that they did not own Cabela and they are not in the fighting dog business at all.

Tampa Police officers found and rescued Cabela from the train tracks, documented in a photo that went viral. After her rescue, veterinarians fought to save Cabela’s life and her leg that was full of the bullet fragments. After surgeries and treatment, she was released to protective custody where she has been healing, socializing and transitioning into her new life. 

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