A dog rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol, now named Trooper, is “relaxing” at the humane society

On October 12, 2024By Yukito

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Gray News) – A dog that was rescued and tied to a pole is currently undergoing “decompression” at the Leon County Humane Society.

The humane society said the dog, now named “Trooper,” is safe and in the shelter’s care.

“He is named Trooper because of what he went through and to honor those who saved him,” the humane society said in a Facebook post.

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper rescued a dog that the agency said was tied to a pole on Interstate 75 ahead of Hurricane Milton.

Florida Highway Patrol Tampa posted a video of the trooper’s rescue on social media platform X on Wednesday. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles later released an update that Trooper was taken to a veterinarian where he was given a “clearance clean.”

“We cannot imagine a situation that ended with tying him to a pole and leaving him without hope,” the humane society said. “It’s hard to imagine how terrified he must have been as the cars drove by, the water came up to his stomach and the storm clouds darkened.”

Florida Highway Patrol Tampa has not released any further information that contradicts the original statement regarding the conditions in which they found Trooper.

The Leon County Humane Society said they were contacted by the Governor’s Office regarding Trooper last Wednesday evening. According to the humane society, their coordinator picked him up from the Department of Emergency Services at a location they coordinate and from an animal shelter where he stayed for a short time.

In its Facebook post, the humane society also dispelled rumors that Trooper had been reunited with his owner.

According to the humane society, the shelter that initially took in Trooper and processed his transfer incorrectly characterized his transfer as “returned to owner.” The confusion arose because the soldier who rescued Trooper was the same one who picked him up for transfer.

The shelter later updated the information to “turned over to law enforcement,” and the humane society was able to confirm that Trooper’s original owner had not come forward.

“Mistakes happen, especially in stressful, hectic and emotional circumstances. The soldier is safe,” the humane society said.

The humane society said it is not currently accepting adoption inquiries for Trooper. They said he needed more time to decompress before he could find his forever home.

“Most rescue dogs take a few days to feel safe, a few weeks to come out of their shell, and a few months to become comfortable and settle into a routine,” the humane society said.

The humane society thanked everyone supporting their efforts and other area shelters working to save and care for animals after Hurricane Milton.