Left Behind: A Dog Abandoned Before a Hurricane

As Hurricane Milton approached Florida, most residents rushed to secure their homes and evacuate. But one helpless soul was left behind—a bull terrier later named Trooper. Found tied to a fence along Interstate 75, standing in rising floodwaters, Trooper was abandoned in the face of the oncoming storm.

Rescuers discovered him weak, frightened, and covered in mud, his nails bleeding from desperate attempts to free himself. But his suffering didn’t end there—Trooper had ingested pounds of plastic, rubber, and metal in a desperate bid to survive.

From Despair to a Second Chance

After his dramatic rescue, Trooper was adopted by Frank and Carla Spina of Parkland, Florida. They gave him the love and care he desperately needed, welcoming him into their home alongside their other dog, Dallas.

However, during a routine checkup, veterinarians made a horrifying discovery—Trooper had two cancerous lumps and an alarming amount of foreign objects in his stomach.

A Life-Saving Surgery

Trooper was rushed into emergency surgery, where Dr. Randy Dominguez and Dr. Javier Gonzalez worked tirelessly for over four hours to remove 2.1 pounds of non-food material from his stomach. Plastic, metal, and rubber pieces were extracted, evidence of the extreme conditions he had endured before being rescued.

Trooper’s former owner now faces aggravated animal abuse charges, with a court date set for March.

The Fight for Stronger Animal Protection Laws

Moved by Trooper’s suffering, his new family is now pushing for new legislation in Tallahassee to make it illegal to restrain and abandon a pet during natural disasters. The “Trooper Bill” aims to prevent future cases of neglect and ensure pets aren’t left to die when their owners evacuate.

Trooper’s Recovery and Future

Today, Trooper is cancer-free, well-fed, and thriving in a loving home. He enjoys playing with Dallas, soaking up the sun, and finally experiencing the care and security he was once denied.

His story is one of resilience, hope, and justice—a powerful reminder that no pet should be left behind.

How You Can Help

🐾 Report cases of animal neglect to local authorities.
🐾 Support stronger animal protection laws in your state.
🐾 Consider adopting or fostering rescued pets in need.

Trooper’s story is heartbreaking, but thanks to compassionate rescuers and a dedicated family, he now has a future filled with love. No pet deserves to be abandoned—especially not in the face of a disaster.