Dog tied to a pole during Hurricane Milton in Florida has a new name after heroic rescue

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A bull terrier rescued from the side of a Florida highway during Hurricane Milton has been named “Trooper” in honor of the Tampa Highway Patrolman who rescued him.

A video of the incident went viral on Wednesday and caught the attention of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In it, Trooper was clearly scared and upset and was barking at the man who found him and was trying to calm him down. The dog stood in water up to his legs as the rain continued.

The puppy was found along Interstate 75: an escape route for tens of thousands of Floridians fleeing the state’s west coast.

“We are very grateful for how this soldier handled it and the care he took in rescuing him and making sure he had a soft place to land,” said Katie Stryker, graphic design and marketing coordinator for the Leon County Humane Society The Independent on Friday. “It was definitely more than that.”

The Tallahassee-based Humane Society does not know how Trooper was tied to the chain-link fence or how long he was tied there. His nails are trimmed and he is at a healthy weight. They didn’t have a chance to speak to the police officer who rescued the dog.

“We have seen dogs that were on leashes become spooked (and) run away, especially in the middle of an evacuation. It’s possible he was stuck,” Snyder said.

No charges have been filed in connection with the incident.

Although Trooper is now in the company’s care, he was initially taken to the Hillsborough Pete Resource Center where he was given a clean bill of health and checked for a microchip. After it was discovered that the dog had been abandoned, it was handed over to the same police officer who rescued it.

No original owner has come forward, although Trooper was incorrectly listed as “returned to owner.”

Then the governor’s office called and asked if the Humane Society could pick up Trooper from EMS and transport him from Hillsborough County to Leon County. Trooper was driven to Tallahassee and is in foster care.

Trooper was stressed and anxious, Snyder said, and new places and people made him uncomfortable.

But Trooper is starting to warm up to people and they’ve learned more about him. For example, he likes swimming, but may not like children. He is not yet available for adoption and they hope to learn more about him in the coming weeks.

“We want to know more so we can place him in the best home and make this home his forever home,” Snyder said.

There are currently 200 animals in the society’s care, including cats rescued during the hurricane.

Snyder emphasized that Trooper is not the only dog ​​with a story and is not the only dog ​​who needs a home there.

“Go out and adopt a dog because there are so many others like Trooper who haven’t become famous and still need you.”