Abandoning dogs during disasters in Florida is now classified as a serious crime, following the rescue of a dog during Hurricane Milton by Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Florida’s governor has signed Trooper’s Law, making it a third-degree felony to desert a dog during a natural disaster. Violators could face fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to five years. The law, named after the rescued dog Trooper who was abandoned during the hurricane but fortunately good samaritans alerted Highway Patrol who found and rescued the dog. This was just one of two bills the Governor signed this week on animal safety.
"Trooper" was abandoned by his owner before Hurricane Milton hit Florida. He was found tied to a fence in rising floodwaters near Interstate 75, and the Florida Highway Patrol rescued him. The dog was named "Trooper" and his rescue story inspired the creation of Trooper's Law, which makes it a felony to abandon a restrained animal during a natural disaster.
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