The Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, promised to punish pet owners who locked their animals outside before Hurricane Milton hit.
A video on X went popular on Wednesday showing the Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa trying to save a scared dog that was tied to a fence on an interstate and standing in a pool of water. DeSantis reacted to the video on Wednesday.
“It is cruel to tie a dog to a post in the middle of a storm,” DeSantis said in a message that included the video. “FL will hold people responsible who hurt pets.”
As seen in the video, a police officer walks up to a scared dog that is tied to a fence and starts to whine and growl in fear.
In 2023, DeSantis made deals with hotel and housing groups to push Florida hotels to allow pets so that people don’t have to leave their animals behind during storms that could kill them.
The governor of Florida has always supported pets in shelters, and in April he brought home a dog from a rescue.
Thank you, @FHPTampa.
It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm. FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable. https://t.co/19axr8CLf0
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 9, 2024
The Humane Society told people in Florida that they should include a “pet plan” in their weather plans before the storm.
The group said, “As people make their escape and preparation plans stronger, we ask them to remember this: if it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for your pets.”