Times Staff Writer
TAMPA — One of four young men arrested in March after police rescued a bit pull mix that had been shot and tied to railroad tracks pleaded guilty Monday to owning the animal for dogfighting.
Investigators said Kenny Bell, 21, was not involved in shooting 2-year-old Cabela, strapping her to the tracks in Sulphur Springs and leaving her for dead. But Cabela belonged to Bell and his brother Darnell Devlin, 18, both of whom were accused of using the dog in fights.
Detectives searching the men's home found two other fighting dogs, both of whom had tell-tale bite marks on their faces and legs. Investigators also found evidence of dogfighting in the back yard. They said Cabela's owners decided to have her killed after she refused to fight.
In a deal reached with the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office, Bell was sentenced to four years of probation and 150 hours of community service. The judge ordered him to pay $1,000 in restitution to Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Services. During Bell's probation, he will not be allowed to own any animals.
Devlin, who has been charged with owning an animal for dogfighting and abandonment of an animal, is scheduled to go to trial in August.
Although veterinarians initially thought Cabela would lose one of her legs, she recovered after surgery. According to Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Services, she's healthy and is being cared for by a foster family.
The people police say were ultimately responsible for attempting to kill Cabela were two 17-year-olds, Natwan Callaway and Bobby Hollinger.
According to investigators, Hollinger was the first to fire at the dog, but she ran from him and returned home. Hollinger and Callaway caught her and brought her back to the tracks, where they tied her down and Callaway shot her several times, police said.
Prosecutors are charging Callaway as an adult. He faces felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and armed trespassing, as well as misdemeanor charges of abandonment of an animal and being a minor in possession of a firearm. His trial has been set for August.
Hollinger, who will be treated as a juvenile, has been charged with trespassing and abandonment of an animal. No trial date has been scheduled in his case.
Authorities have said the two teenagers have confessed.
With the exception of Hollinger, the men allegedly involved in Cabela's abuse have lengthy arrest records. Prosecutors charged Bell with attempted murder last year, but the case was dropped. Bell has also faced charges of robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of marijuana.
Callaway has charges dating back to 2012, including burglary, robbery, grand theft and felon in possession of a firearm, according to state records. Devlin's charges include possession of marijuana, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at or within a building, records show.