Tampa cops came across a horrific scene Wednesday as Hurricane Milton surged toward land: A helpless dog whose heartless owner left him to die tied to a fence in stomach-deep water.
Florida Highway Patrol officers discovered the abandoned pooch barking desperately for help Wednesday morning, as the outer edge of the enormous storm was already dumping heavy rain in the area.
The compassionate troopers parked their patrol vehicles and trudged across a soggy field next to Interstate 75, rescuing the terrified animal in the nick of time.
“Do NOT do this to your pets please…” Florida Highway Patrol urged. FHP Tampa“Do NOT do this to your pets please…” the agency urged, sharing the heartbreaking and outrageous video on X.
The terrified pooch “is safe and receiving care,” the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor wrote on X a few hours after the innocent pup’s brush with death captivated and enraged the internet.
“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 with a warm fleece blanket.
After his safety was ensured, Gov. Ron DeSantis posted a message of thanks to the highway patrol, and warned other pet owners against committing similar acts of thoughtless cruelty.
Florida Highway Patrol later rescued the dog and took it to the vet. FLHSMV/X“Thank you, [Tampa Florida Highway Patrol]. It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm. FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable,” he pledged.
Follow the latest from The Post on Hurricane Milton:
- Hurricane Milton live news updates: Historic storm to wallop Florida
- Hurricane Milton tracker: Live updates on the storm’s path through Florida
- If Hurricane Milton wasn’t bad enough, monster storm is spawning tornado supercells to wreak havoc on Florida
- Hurricane Milton expected to be so powerful, it could forever change Florida’s coastline
- Tampa mayor warns Floridians who plan to ride out Hurricane Milton at home: ‘That’s a coffin you’re in’
The post by FLHSMV was flooded with offers to give the wayward mutt a forever home.
“If he needs a home let me know. I’m in the Lake Mary area. I’ll gladly drive over to pick him up after the storm [passes],” one animal lover wrote.
“If he needs a home, please dm me after the storm. I’ll come get him,” wrote another.






