The dog was alone, tied to a fence post and standing in belly-deep in water when Florida Highway Patrol troopers rescued it from certain death as Hurricane Milton threatened to pummel the state Wednesday.
“FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning,” FHP Tampa posted on X.”Do NOT do this to your pets please…”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared his relief — and outrage — as his state faces an unprecedented natural disaster. About 1 million people have been evacuated from the danger zones. Pets and zoo animals have also been moved to safety.
DeSantis called the pet owners who abandoned this dog “cruel” and pledged get justice.
“Thank you, @FHPTampa,” DeSantis wrote on X. “It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm. FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable.”
Thank you, @FHPTampa.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 9, 2024
It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm. FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable. https://t.co/19axr8CLf0
FHP Tampa shared the officer’s body cam footage of the rescue in a grassy area off the highway.
The officer who is approaching the bull terrier can be heard saying, “It’s okay, buddy. It’s okay.”
The drenched dog starts barking as he gets closer, to which the officer replies, “I don’t blame you. I don’t blame you buddy. It’s okay.”
The dog was scooped up and brought into the safety of the police cruiser.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provided an update on the dog’s condition.
Update: The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health. pic.twitter.com/cut1jv7cBe
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) October 9, 2024
“The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care,” the department posted on social media. “Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health
