The Florida Highway Patrol was able to save a dog that was abandoned by its owners as Hurricane Milton approached the state on Wednesday.
The agency posted a video to its Twitter page, which is now known as X, about how it found the animal tied to a pole along Interstate 75. It urged people to avoid harming their pets.
The video showed an officer walking toward a dog that had been tied to a fence and was standing in a puddle that had reached its stomach.
After the officer approached the animal, the dog started barking. The officer then said that he didn’t blame the animal.
The animal was taken to the FLHSMV, which then posted a statement about 15 minutes later. It stated that the dog had already been rescued and that it was in the agency’s care.
The dog’s behavior immediately changed. It had been placed inside a car with several blankets covering its head.
Those who are planning on evacuating should make sure to bring their pets along.
The SPCA of Tampa Bay has also issued a list of procedures that owners should follow to ensure the safety of their pets during a disaster.
Some of these include having an emergency kit, having proof of identification, and preparing a home that is ready for the animal.
An emergency kit should contain food, water, and medicine for at least a week.
It should also include a variety of other items such as vaccines, bedding, and a photo of the animal.