Table of Contents
- Trooper the Bull Terrier’s Dramatic Rescue
- Original Charges and Public Outrage
- Why Charges Were Dropped
- Florida’s New Disaster Pet Protection Law
- Broader Impact on Animal Welfare
- Sources
Charges Dropped in Hurricane Dog Abandonment Case
In a case that once gripped the nation, prosecutors in Florida have dropped criminal charges against a man accused of abandoning his bull terrier, Trooper, on Interstate 75 as Hurricane Milton bore down on the state in October 2024. The decision ends a year-long legal saga—but not before sparking sweeping legislative change to protect pets during natural disasters.
Trooper was found trembling on the shoulder of I-75 near Tampa, wearing a collar but no leash, as winds from the Category 4 storm began to howl. A passing trucker stopped, wrapped the dog in a blanket, and drove him to an emergency animal shelter. Photos of the emaciated dog went viral, igniting public fury and a flood of donations that funded his full recovery.
Original Charges and Public Outrage
Authorities quickly traced Trooper’s microchip to a 38-year-old man from Brandon, Florida, who admitted ownership but claimed he “had no choice” due to evacuation constraints. He was charged with animal abandonment, a misdemeanor under Florida law, and faced up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The story became a flashpoint in the national conversation about pet ownership during emergencies. Animal welfare groups staged protests outside the courthouse, and #JusticeForTrooper trended for days on social media.
Why Charges Were Dropped
According to court documents filed October 21, 2025, prosecutors dropped the case citing insufficient evidence to prove criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant maintained he believed a neighbor would take Trooper—but that neighbor denied any such agreement.
“While the circumstances are deeply troubling, the law requires proof of willful abandonment,” said Hillsborough County State Attorney Monique Worrell in a statement. “We simply cannot meet that burden with the available evidence.”
Florida’s New Disaster Pet Protection Law
Despite the dropped charges, Trooper’s ordeal had a lasting impact. In May 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed “Trooper’s Law”—a bipartisan measure that makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to abandon a pet during a declared state of emergency.
Under the new law, violators can face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The legislation also mandates that emergency shelters accommodate pets and requires local governments to include animal evacuation plans in disaster response protocols.
| Before Trooper’s Law | After Trooper’s Law (2025) |
|---|---|
| No specific penalty for pet abandonment during disasters | First-degree misdemeanor; up to 1 year in jail |
| Pets often excluded from emergency shelters | Shelters must accommodate household pets |
| No statewide evacuation plan for animals | Local governments must include pets in disaster plans |
Broader Impact on Animal Welfare
Trooper, now adopted by a Florida firefighter, has become an unofficial mascot for disaster-ready pet ownership. His story is featured in public service campaigns by the ASPCA and FEMA.
“This case changed everything,” said Dr. Lena Ruiz, a veterinarian who treated Trooper. “People now understand that pets aren’t luggage—you don’t leave them behind when the storm hits.”
