Dog shot, tied to tracks keeps leg after surgery
TAMPA — A dog shot multiple times and found tied to railroad tracks has survived surgery without the amputation doctors thought she would need.
The 1- to 2-year-old mixed breed, whom veterinarians named Cabela, had her right front leg shattered from one of the bullets. She also was shot twice in the neck.
Police who responded to shots-fired calls Wednesday from three people heard a dog whimpering while canvassing the neighborhood and followed the sound to nearby train tracks. Officers found her tied to the tracks with a belt and had to stop an oncoming train before freeing her and taking her for emergency treatment.
"Cabela came through surgery with flying colors and four legs," said a post Friday on the Facebook page of Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service. "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 young pit-bull mix has a sweet temperament, said Dr. Jamie Davidson, who along with staff at the animal hospital stabilized Cabela and named her that first night.
"Really, after everything that this dog has gone through, ... she's the sweetest," Davidson told CNN. "I mean, she's not angry with people. She's not growling. She's been really really good."
Cabela's owners, who learned of her fate because of publicity in the case, visited her at the animal hospital, according to a Facebook post Saturday. She had escaped or been stolen from their yard four months ago, and they had not been able to find her.
They brought proof of ownership with them to the veterinarian's office but decided they would relinquish ownership and allow her to be adopted after she recovers.
Officers have not made an arrest in the case, even as the reward for information on who tried to kill Cabala rose to $5,500 with $2,500 from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and $3,000 from Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay. Police said they still are receiving plenty of leads.
Neighbor John Sepulveda, walking his own dogs on the same street where the shots rang out, called Cabela's case inhumane.
"It just turns your stomach," Tampa Officer Greg Coller said.
Contributing: The Associated Press