When Hurricane Milton roared toward Florida last October, the chaos of evacuation left behind more than damaged homes and flooded streets. Along Interstate 75 near Tampa, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper spotted a white bull terrier standing in rising water, his collar caught in a fence.

The dog—later named Trooper—had been abandoned as the Category 4 storm approached. His rescue, and the public outrage that followed, have now shaped one of Florida’s most significant animal protection laws in years, The New York Times reports.

Photo: X / FHP Tampa

A dog named Trooper was found tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton.

The Law Born From a Viral Rescue

Trooper’s Law, passed unanimously by the Florida Senate and House, makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster or under evacuation orders. According to NBC Miami, penalties can reach five years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Initially drafted to protect all animals, lawmakers narrowed the bill to dogs after committee debate. The law takes effect October 1, ahead of peak hurricane season—a timing lawmakers say is deliberate to deter neglect before the next major storm, Florida Politics reports.

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… pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2

— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) October 9, 2024

A Face for Reform

Trooper’s story resonated with thousands. Rescued by Trooper Orlando Morales, he was taken first to a Hillsborough County shelter, then to the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee. His former owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty and awaits trial, The Florida Times-Union reports.

Frank and Carla Spina of Parkland adopted Trooper in November, after persistent calls to the rescue center. They soon discovered he faced more than emotional scars. As The Washington Post reports., within weeks, veterinarians removed cancerous tumors, then more than two pounds of plastic, rubber, and fabric from his stomach—remnants of desperate scavenging from his past life.

Preparing for the Next Storm

The law’s passage comes as forecasters warn of another active hurricane season. Florida’s network of animal welfare groups is urging residents to incorporate pets into evacuation plans. According to The Florida Times-Union, that means identifying pet-friendly shelters, keeping carriers or leashes ready, and having vaccination records on hand. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida reminds the public to call 911 if an animal is in imminent danger during an emergency.

Officials hope Trooper’s Law will deter abandonment by making clear that leaving a restrained dog behind is not only cruel—it is now a criminal act with severe consequences. Supporters say the visibility of Trooper’s case, amplified by viral images of him standing in floodwaters, sends a warning to those who might consider leaving pets behind as storms approach.

Hurricane season increases the urgency for pet evacuation planning.

From Victim to Symbol

Today, Trooper lives comfortably in Parkland with his new family and another bull terrier named Dallas. He has been honored with a “junior trooper” badge and recognized by local officials. His recovery, while hard-won, has turned him into a living reminder of why laws like this matter.

As Florida prepares for the storms ahead, Trooper’s Law serves as both a legal safeguard and a moral statement: pets are family, and their survival depends on human responsibility—even, and especially, in the most dangerous moments.

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