Man Faces Jail Time for Abandoning Dog During Hurricane in Florida

tampa - A man in Florida is facing up to five years in prison for leaving his dog tied to a fence alongside a highway during Hurricane Milton.

In the state of Florida, a 23-year-old man is facing potential animal cruelty charges for abandoning his dog during Hurricane Milton. The dog was found tied to a fence along a highway in floodwaters, prompting outrage on social media and global news coverage.

The young owner was arrested by regional transport authorities on suspicion of animal cruelty. The dog, named Trooper, was discovered on October 9th by highway police amidst evacuation efforts ahead of the approaching hurricane. The troopers shared a video of the dog, urging pet owners not to repeat such actions.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commended the highway police for their rescue efforts, condemning the act as cruel and vowing accountability for animal abusers. Trooper was taken to a vet and found to be in good health, now under the care of a foster family with plans for adoption.