Dog rescued from Hurricane Milton on I-75, now safe in Tallahassee

From Tampa to Tallahassee, the dog tied to a fence along Interstate 75 as Hurricane Milton approached Florida is a real “trooper.”

The dog, which appears to be a bull terrier, is now in the care of the Leon County Humane Society after being rescued by a state trooper who discovered the abandoned pooch.

After sparking an outcry online, the dog – now called “Trooper” – was pictured in his cozy blanket and plush bed in a post on the local club's Facebook page on Thursday. The post explained his new name “for what he went through and to honor those who saved him.”

“We wanted to let those who have been following this story know that he is safe and sound because we have been worried about him since we saw his story,” the post said. “We also want those who follow us to know that we take animal abandonment seriously and will be closely monitoring his case and using his experience to raise awareness.”

The trooper was picked up Wednesday evening after the governor's office contacted the shelter, the post said.

Hundreds of thousands fled Milton, triggering a series of devastating tornadoes across the state. Apparently Trooper was not included in his previous owner's evacuation plans, causing distress on social media.

A 36-second video posted on social media by the Florida Highway Patrol-Tampa showed the dog stranded and tied to a fence up to its belly in water on the side of I-75 as the storm approached the area Tampa Bay was approaching.

Gov. Ron DeSantis reposted the video, saying it was “cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an incoming storm. FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable.”

At a news conference Wednesday evening about the storm, the governor added: “What kind of animal would just leave a dog chained to a pole in the middle of a hurricane?” I mean, that’s just incredible.”

Trooper's story brought new attention to animal cruelty and animal abandonment, and the Leon County Humane Society was able to raise $1,603 for dogs with similar stories to help in their daily rescue efforts, it said.

The shelter says it will keep Troopers fans updated on his recovery.

The dog is still “stressed and decompressed” due to the events of the last 24 hours. His next steps include finding a new home when he is ready for the “next phase of his life.”

This is how you help

∎ Go to leoncountyhumane.org/donate.

This article contains previously reported information. Kyla Sanford can be reached at [email protected].

This is how you help

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