Fort Wayne, IN — A coordinated effort between the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) and Humane World for Animals led to the rescue of 22 dogs and puppies from an alleged dogfighting operation on Tuesday, and the arrest of one man, Trevel Shantae Bell.
FWPD executed search warrants at three properties around 2 p.m., uncovering harrowing scenes of animal abuse. Inside a shed near one home, authorities found evidence of dogfighting, including paraphernalia. Several dogs were confined in filthy cages, panting and dehydrated, many of them scarred and wounded.
At another location, first responders found more dogs tethered to heavy chains, suffering under extreme heat with no access to shade or water. Some were afflicted with flystrike, a painful condition caused by flies laying eggs on their wounds. Others were crammed into tiny cages without relief from the sweltering conditions, which soared to 110 degrees under a heat advisory.
“Between the suffocating heat, filthy conditions, and bodies covered in scars—it’s incomprehensible,” said Samantha Chapman, Indiana State Director for Humane World for Animals. “Yet these dogs still greeted us with wagging tails and hopeful eyes.”
Trevel Shantae Bell was charged with two counts of purchase or possession of an animal for fighting, a Level 6 felony in Indiana.
The dogs are now being transported to a confidential location where they will receive medical treatment, care, and rehabilitation thanks to volunteers and rescue teams.
The Indiana Gaming Commission and Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control also played key roles in the operation. The investigation remains ongoing.
