In a dramatic rescue on Wednesday morning, October 9, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officers saved a helpless dog that had been left tied to a fence in rising floodwaters near Tampa as Hurricane Milton approached. Discovered by troopers near Interstate 75, the distressed dog was barking for help, standing in stomach-deep water after its owners had abandoned it.
Upon noticing the animal in distress, the troopers parked their vehicles and trekked across a soggy field to reach the dog and free it from the fence. FHP Tampa shared a video of the rescue on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where they wrote, “FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please.”
FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please… pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2
— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) October 9, 2024
Later in an update, the highway patrol confirmed the dog was safe and had been taken to a vet for examination, where it received a clean bill of health. “The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care,” they added. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared the video, condemning the act and thanking the officers for their quick response. “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,” DeSantis stated.
The video sparked outrage online, with users calling for the arrest of the dog’s owners. Comments poured in, expressing gratitude to the officers and demanding justice for the mistreatment of the dog. “Thank you @FHPTampa for helping this dog. I hope you find its (prior) owners and arrest them,” one user commented. Others echoed the sentiment, describing the act as “cruel and criminal,” and many expressed relief that the dog had been rescued in time.
The incident has highlighted concerns about pet abandonment during natural disasters, and authorities have vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible for such acts. The rescued dog is now receiving care, and efforts are underway to find it a loving home.