Florida troopers rescue dog left tied to fence ahead of Hurricane Milton: 'Do NOT do this'
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Troopers in Tampa readying for the arrival of Hurricane Milton came across a horrifying scene — a dog tied to a fence in stomach-deep water.
Florida Highway Patrol officers heard the desperate barking before they found the abandoned, terrified canine on Wednesday.
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Florida troopers rescue dog left tied to fence ahead of Hurricane Milton: 'Do NOT do this' Back to video
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The area was already flooded from heavy rains as the troopers waded through the field next to Interstate 75 to save the poor animal.
“Do NOT do this to your pets please,” the agency urged on X, sharing the heartbreaking video in which the scared and anxious dog could be heard growling and barking as the officers approached.
“It’s OK,” one cop could be heard saying repeatedly. “I don’t blame you, buddy.”
The pooch, which appeared to be a bull terrier, was “safe and receiving care,” according to an X post from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
“Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health,” they wrote alongside a photo of the rescued dog in the back of a patrol car, perched on warm blankets.
Gov. Ron DeSantis posted a message of thanks to the highway patrol, and warned other pet owners against leaving helpless animals to die.
“Thank you, (Tampa Florida Highway Patrol),” he wrote on X.
“It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm,” he continued, adding that the state “will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable.”
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While many social media users offered to give the abandoned dog a proper forever home, others urged that it never be returned to its previous owner.
“Perhaps we find the owner and the troopers can tie them to the pole and leave them? Just a suggestion,” one person wrote.
A second commented: “People who harm children and pets are the lowest in society and need to be dealt with accordingly.”
Another user added: “I hope that dog is chipped, and they find the owner and charge them with animal abuse.”
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