Dog Found Abandoned, Tied To Pole Before Milton Landfall Rescued By Police

TAMPA, FL — Florida state police rescued an abandoned dog with just hours to spare before Hurricane Milton's predicted landfall on Wednesday.

According to a social media post from the agency's Tampa office, the dog was found tied to a fence on Interstate 75 near Bruce B Downs Boulevard. In a video shared by authorities, the dog is seen already chest-deep in standing water as troopers approached him.

"Do NOT do this to your pets please..." state police wrote on X.

In a Wednesday afternoon update, state police said the dog 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 agency wrote.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also shared the video of the pup's rescue and thanked troopers for their quick actions.

"It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm," DeSantis wrote on X. "FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable."