Cabela, a two-year-old female pit bull, was found shot and left for dead tied to some train tracks in Tampa, Florida. The dog was bought and owned for the sole purpose of dog-fighting, but it seems she just wasn’t good enough at it. As a result, her owners shot Cabela and tied her to some train tracks, leaving her for dead. Cabela miraculously survived after undergoing emergency surgery and went for a short walk on Thursdays in front of the cameras while her abusers were held at Hillsborough County Jail.

 

Cabela’s two owners, Darnell N. Devlin, 18, and Kenny Bell, 21, were arrested at home on Wednesday under the charges of possessing fighting dogs. The two men admitted that they owned Cabela, as well as two other fighting dogs that police found in the house. Bite marks were found on both dogs’ face, neck and legs consistent with dog fights. The backyard of the home also showed signs of hosting low-level, unsophisticated dog fights.

 

Natwan Callaway and Bobby Hollinger, both 17, were also arrested for animal cruelty. Hollinger is Cabela’s suspected shooter in this case.

 

Cabela was rescued by Tampa police on March 4, and despite doubts that she would make it out of surgery with all four of her legs, she did after a rod was successfully implanted in her most damaged appendage. Cabela’s tragic story caught the attention of the nation. Steven Pahl, rescue coordinator at the veterinary office says his team received calls from “all 50 states” inquiring about the miracle dog. The adoption process through the Humane Society of Tampa Bay will begin after Cabela is healed and off her medication.