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Florida police rescue abandoned dog tied to fence before Hurricane Milton landfall

The officers found the dog standing in water which was already almost at its chest height

The dog was found tied to a fence at the side of a road. (x.com/FHPTampa)
The dog was found tied to a fence at the side of a road. (x.com/FHPTampa)
By Mark Robinson

Police officers in Florida managed to rescue a dog which had been abandoned by its owners and tied to a fence while they were aiding evacuation efforts before the arrival of Hurricane Milton yesterday.

In a video shared online, footage recorded by one of the state troopers shows the dog, standing in a puddle of water which had already almost reached its chest height, tied to a wire fence.

The dog, which appeared to be a bull terrier, was distressed and barked at the officers as they approached.

More: Crane brought down by Hurricane Milton hits neighbouring building

“I don’t blame you. It’s ok, buddy,” one of the officers can be heard saying as he approached the dog and it began to growl and bark.

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The video was posted on X by Tampa’s Florida Highway Patrol account.

“FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning,” they said.

“Do NOT do this to your pets please…”

Users on the social media platform were quick to respond to the video as it began to go viral – among them was Governor Ron DeSantis, who thanked the officers for their work.

“It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm,” he said.

“[Florida] will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable.”

A photo of the dog was posted later yesterday evening showing him in the back of a police car alongside an update that said he was “safe and receiving care”.

“Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health,” the post said.

Hurricane Milton made landfall last night as a category 3 storm near Sarasota, on Florida’s west coast.

It has caused devastation as it made its way across Florida’s central belt and has left more than 3 million people without power.

Tornadoes associated with the storm have also resulted in the deaths of at least four people.