People are calling for a dog owner to face consequences after abandoning their dog before Hurricane Milton.
A viral video posted by Florida Highway Patrol on Tuesday (October 8) shows an officer responding to a call that a dog had been abandoned and left tied up to a fence by the I-75.
In the video, the officer slowly approaches the dog that was stood in water so deep it came up to the top of the pet’s legs.
Tentatively approaching the pooch, the kindhearted officer reassures it that ‘it’s okay’.
He didn’t receive the warmest welcome from the dog who proceeded to growl and bark at the officer, but he simply said: “I don’t blame you. It’s okay.”
Sharing the video to Twitter, Florida Highway Patrol Tampa wrote: “FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please.”
A follow-up tweeted shared by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles confirmed a few hours after the heartbreaking video was posted that the dog seen in the video had been successfully rescued.
“The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care,” they confirmed.
“Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health.”
People have since suggested that the adorable dog be named Trooper after the team who saved him (or her).
Elsewhere people expressed their disgust at the owner for abandoning the pooch and called for them to be prosecuted.
One person wrote: “This is ridiculous. The owner needs to face legal consequences.”
A second insisted: “Find the owner and lock them up!”
“People who harm children and pets are the lowest in society and need to be dealt with accordingly,” penned someone else.
A different person fumed: “I hope that dog is chipped, and they find the owner and charge them with animal abuse that his horrible we are literally getting hit by a hurricane in hours.”
Others took to the time to applaud the Troopers for rescuing the defenceless dog.
“Wow. People can be so heartless. Thank you for saving him,” one applauded the team.
“Absolutely heartbreaking and cruel that anyone would abandon their pet. Well done and thank you for rescuing them,” added another.
There have been conflicting reports that the dog has been reclaimed by its owner, but Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has confirmed that this is ‘inaccurate’.
“The dog was rescued and taken to a vet where he received a clean bill of health. He is safe and being cared for at this time,” a spokesperson told.
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