2 Florida teens arrested in case of dog shot and tied to train tracks
TAMPA, Fla. - Two Florida teenagers are accused of shooting a dog that was found tied to railroad tracks near Tampa.
Tampa police arrested the 17-year-old boys Wednesday. They're charged with aggravated animal cruelty after authorities found the dog tied to the train tracks and suffering from two gunshot wounds on March 4. Officers took the dog to an animal hospital where she's recovering. They've named her Cabela.
Police say surveillance video led to the arrests. It showed four people walking to the tracks with a dog. Two adults left, but the teens stayed. Officers recognized one of the adults and interviewed him. The adult helped police identify the teens in the video.
The dog's original owner said the dog had run away about four months ago. Police say their investigation revealed the dog had more recently been purchased for fighting and that when the dog wouldn't fight, they decided to get rid of her.
Authorities say one of the teens threw the dog into the woods and fired a shot at her. The dog ran back home and then the teens caught her and brought her back to the tracks where they shot her several times and tied her down before fleeing, according to police.
CBS affiliate WTSP reports police say both teens confessed to the crime and that investigators anticipate charging others in the case.