State Trooper Enters Floodwaters For A Last-Minute Dog Rescue

One dog’s abandonment reveals the heartbreaking risk pets face in disasters.

Damjan

• Published in Animals
• October 27, 2024

When natural disasters strike, people are not the only ones at risk; animals can also find themselves in life-threatening situations. Whether it's a hurricane, earthquake, or wildfire, the chaos often leads to pets being forgotten or abandoned.

Despite the abundance of resources and shelters available for evacuees, many pet owners neglect to plan for the safe evacuation of their animals. As a result, these animals are left to fend for themselves, facing overwhelming odds.

One recent incident in Florida involving a stranded dog highlights the dire consequences of leaving pets behind during emergencies. As Hurricane Milton approached Tampa, Florida, most residents quickly left the city to escape the storm. Highways became crowded with vehicles filled with families and belongings heading toward safety.

However, not everyone had the means to escape. On the side of a major highway, one helpless animal was left behind, tethered to a fence and unable to escape the rising floodwaters.

The abandoned animal, a white bull terrier mix, was trapped as the storm intensified. While cars sped past on the busy highway, he stood there, vulnerable and defenseless, tied up and unable to seek higher ground. His fate could have been tragic if not for the timely intervention of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

A white bullterrier mix was left tied to a fence, unable to flee from the rising floodwaters.

Troopers discovered the distressed dog near I-75, tied to a pole close to Bruce B Downs Boulevard, just as the floodwaters began to rise. Panicked and unsure of his surroundings, the dog was initially defensive, growling at the trooper who approached to help.

Despite the dog's fear, the trooper was determined not to abandon him. The officer slowly gained the dog’s trust with patience and gentle reassurance.

The situation became more urgent as the water level crept higher, reaching the dog’s chest. Yet, the trooper persisted, speaking calmly to the frightened animal until he could approach and untie him. Once freed from the fence, the dog was loaded into the patrol car and taken to safety.

Saving the dog.

The trooper made his way through the rising floodwaters to the pup.

The Florida Highway Patrol shared the story on X, previously known as Twitter, urging the public to never leave their pets behind during evacuations. "Do NOT do this to your pets, please," they emphasized, using the incident to remind people of their responsibility toward their animals, especially in times of crisis.

Thanks to the trooper’s actions, the dog was taken to a veterinarian, where he was thoroughly examined and found in good health. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles later confirmed the dog’s well-being, sharing that he received the necessary care.

The dog is safe and being well cared for.

While the dog’s story had a happy ending, it reminds us how important it is to plan for pets during evacuations. Many shelters and hotels allow people to bring their pets, but some pet owners don’t know this or still leave their animals behind.

Abandoning pets during a disaster puts them in danger and adds extra work for rescuers, who are already busy helping people. Rescue teams continue to urge people to consider their pets when planning evacuations.

Just like people prepare their homes and pack essentials, they must do the same for their pets. This includes knowing where they can go with their animals, having a pet emergency kit, and ensuring pets have identification, like tags or microchips, in case they get lost.

Pets are part of the family, so it is essential to ensure they’re included in your evacuation plan.

After Hurricane Milton, the story of the rescued dog reminds us how important it is to include pets in evacuation plans. Thankfully, this dog is safe and cared for, but many animals left behind during disasters aren’t as lucky.

As people work to recover from the storm, stories like this one may help pet owners think more carefully about keeping their pets safe in emergencies. During disasters, people can show both kindness and carelessness.

First responders work hard to save human and animal lives, but with some planning, pet owners can ensure their animals are safe and avoid risking their lives. Leaving pets behind is dangerous for the animals and those who must rescue them. Pets are family members and must be included in any evacuation plan.

Damjan