Cabela, the Florida dog rescued by police after she was shot and tied to railroad tracks with a train approaching, lost a lot of blood and had her right foreleg amputated, clinic officials and police said Thursday night.
Dr. Kathleen M. Meyer, president of Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service, told NBC News that Cabela was treated for shock and was resting comfortably Thursday. "Unfortunately, due to extensive damage from the gunshot wound, she will probably have her front leg amputated tonight if she remains stable," Meyer said.
Tampa police said they found the dog tied with a belt to tracks in the Sulphur Springs area north of downtown Wednesday. The 1- to 2-year-old female mixed breed had been shot in her neck above her right shoulder. Authorities stopped a train that was approaching as officers freed the dog, whom police nicknamed R&R, and rushed her to the clinic, where she was renamed Cabela.
Tampa police said they had started to get some leads from the public but wouldn't go into detail.
"It's very heart-wrenching," police Sgt. Greg Koller told NBC station WFLA. "I love animals, and it turns your stomach."
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprit, asking anyone with information to call 813-231-6130. Crime Stoppers offered an extra $3,000.
The veterinary clinic said Cabela's treatment would cost several thousand dollars. It set up a web page for donations and said any money raised above what was needed for Cabela would go to care for other rescued animals.
