The story of Trooper, the Florida dog who was tied up to a pole and left for dead in the path of Hurricane Milton, broke all of our hearts earlier this year. Now, there has been an incredible new update 😮❤️
Read on to catch up on Trooper’s story and learn the good news:
Trooper: Tied Up and Left For Dead
On the morning of October 9, Florida Highway Patrol troopers in Tampa rescued a dog who was found tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. It was a heartbreaking sight: the dog was tied up by his collar, left standing with his legs submerged in water.
Making things worse, he was left in the path of the oncoming Hurricane Milton, which caused widespread devastation and caused at least 24 deaths. Needless to say, if Trooper hadn’t been found in time he would’ve been one of the casualties.
Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles later announced that the dog was “safe and receiving care.” He was examined for injuries and reportedly received a clear bill of health, and placed in the care of the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee. The dog was renamed “Trooper,” in honor of the officers who saved him.
“Leaving this dog in this way was completely unacceptable and endangered not only his life, but could have endangered others by causing a hazard on an already busy and stressful evacuation route,” Leon County Humane Society wrote. “It was cruel, and it was thoughtless not only toward him, but toward the people who were trying their best to handle the incoming storm.”
“We can’t imagine the situation that ended with him tied to this pole and left him without any hope. It’s hard even to think about how scared he must have been as cars raced by, the water rose to his belly, and the storm clouds darkened.”
Owner Arrested, Trooper Recovers
Trooper’s story shocked and saddened people across the country. Local authorities, as well as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, promised to investigate and prosecute those responsible.
Days after Trooper was rescued, State Attorney Susan Lopez announced that Trooper’s owner, 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia, was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Garcia agreed to surrender Trooper to his foster.
Meanwhile, the Leon County Humane Society wrote that Trooper was recovering from his traumatic abandonment in his foster home, and would need some time before being put up for adoption.
“He’s incredibly stressed and still decompressing,” the Humane Society wrote. “Abandoning a dog like this doesn’t typically allow for an immediate bounce back to their happy selves. Most dogs when rescued take a few days to feel safe, a few weeks to come out of their shell, and a few months to become comfortable and fall into a routine.”
Heartwarming Update: Trooper Adopted
Nearly two months after Trooper was found tied up to that pole, the humane society announced a major, amazing update to his story: he has been adopted!
Leon County Humane Society wrote that Trooper has gone home with an “incredibly kind, thoughtful, and compassionate” couple named Frank and Carla, who were chosen from a large number of applicants after hitting it off well with Trooper during their first meetings.
“He happily accepted the toy gift they offered, tore it to shreds, and then trotted over to the couple to lean in for pets and cuddles. He’d take breaks to run back to Amy and express his excitement over having them there, then he’d run back and get more pets, over and over.”
They decided to test how well Trooper got along with the couple’s other dog, Dallas, and thankfully it was “love at first sight.” The family was also mourning the recent loss of another dog named Diesel, and they believed that “Diesel was sending Trooper to join their family.”
Trooper has been in his new home for a few weeks, and is acclimating well. For those who have followed Trooper’s story for the past two months, it’s a major relief to see he has finally gotten the happy ending he deserves.
But while Trooper’s case made national headlines, he’s far from the only unwanted dog in need of saving. The Leon County Humane Society encouraged people moved by his story “look into and start following animal welfare through their own local shelters and rescues,” saying that there are 3.3 million dogs entering shelters in the US each year who they could help through adoption or donations.
“Adopt. Foster. Volunteer. Donate,” they wrote. “Tell ‘Em Trooper Sent You.”
Trooper’s story broke our hearts, but we are so glad to hear that he has finally been adopted by a loving new family! ❤️
Please share this inspiring update!
