Hurricane Milton: WATCH Viral Video Of Abandoned Dog Tied To Fence Sparks Outrage

As Hurricane Milton made landfall on the Florida coast, a shocking video of a dog abandoned and tied to a fence amid rising waters has gone viral, capturing the attention of animal lovers and officials alike.

The incident occurred near Interstate 75 in Tampa on Wednesday, where the helpless dog was found standing in water that reached up to its belly.

WATCH Viral Video: Abandoned Dog Amid Hurricane

The viral video, shared by the Florida Highway Patrol on their X handle, shows an officer approaching the distressed dog, believed to be a bull terrier. As the officer gets closer, the dog initially growls in fear. "It's okay," the officer reassures the pup, who begins barking nervously. "I don't blame you. It's okay, buddy. It's okay," the officer comforts the frightened animal.

In a message accompanying the 35-second clip, the Florida Highway Patrol wrote, "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..." The video has since garnered over 10 million views, igniting outrage and concern among viewers.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the incident, emphasizing the cruelty of abandoning pets during severe weather. He stated, "Thank you, @FHPTampa. It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm. Florida will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable."

Following the rescue, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles confirmed that the dog was safe and receiving care. "The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health," the department reported.

Social media users reacted with anger over the abandonment, with many calling for legal action against the dog's owners. One commenter stated, "This is ridiculous. The owner needs to face legal consequences," while another added, "People who harm children and pets are the lowest in society and need to be dealt with accordingly."

As Hurricane Milton moved past Florida, it left over three million homes and businesses without electricity, according to Forbes. The National Hurricane Center reported that the storm, now downgraded to a Category 1, has shifted off the east coast but continues to produce damaging hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall.