Man Sentenced to 40 Days in Animal Cruelty Case

A Manatee County man who tied a 30-pound dumb bell around a dog's neck and forced him to swim in the Manatee River was sentenced to 40 days in jail after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges this week.

Willie T. Bell, 41, pleaded no contest to an animal cruelty charge on Monday and sentenced to 40 days in jail for the third degree felony, according to court recrds.

Palmetto Police Officer Micah Mathews rescued the dog and brought it to Manatee County animal Services. Court records show, Bell told authorities that the dog belonged to Bruce Washington of Bradenton. Animal Services returned the dog to Washington.