The five-year-old bull terrier now known as “Trooper” captured the hearts of those both near and far.
The dog became known through social media after his rescue by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who saw him tied to a fence along Interstate 75 in Tampa as Category 4 Hurricane Milton barreled toward Florida.
Trooper then faced an uncertain fate. But today, his past is behind him and he’s found a new beginning — and a new “fur-ever” home, according to a post from the Leon County Humane Society.
“From the moment he was introduced to his new Mom and Dad, you could see that it was a perfect match,” the post said. “In other meetings, Trooper would normally be visibly on edge and uncomfortable, but with Frank and Carla, Trooper seemed immediately at ease.” (The post didn’t identify Frank and Carla by their full names or place of residence.)
Trooper’s tail wags now more than ever as he is enjoying his new home and a new friend, Dallas, a seven-year-old rescue miniature bull terrier.
Trooper was originally taken into custody by FHP Trooper Orlando Morales after he got a tip from another driver who was traveling on the interstate and spotted the animal Oct. 9. Trooper was eventually taken in by the Leon County Humane Society after receiving a call from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office. He was placed in a temporary home with someone who has experience with his breed.
When Trooper met Dallas
Trooper the dog with new friend Dallas.
After a few observed visits with the inquiring adopters, Trooper was excited by his new owner’s visits, running to them to lean in for cuddles, happily accepting gifts and tearing them to shreds, the post explained. After the first visit went well, the dog met Dallas, who was grieving the loss of her friend Diesel, who died at age 15 this April.
When the two dogs met, it was “love at first sight,” stating that “they ran up to each other and pressed foreheads, tails wagging furiously.” And so Trooper was brought home, spoiled with everything any good pup deserves.
Trooper the dog, with new owners Frank and Carla.
Trooper’s new parents have worked with a dog trainer to help Trooper get acclimated to his new environment.
Who was Trooper’s original owner? And where is he now?
Trooper’s previous owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, was identified Oct. 15 and has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, according to Erin Maloney, spokesperson for Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
According to Lopez’s office, Garcia admitted to leaving the dog, which he called “Jumbo,” while driving from Tampa to Georgia to flee from Milton “because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”
Trooper, a 5-year-old bull terrier, was abandoned by his owner as he fled from Tampa to Georgia to avoid Hurricane Milton.
Garcia will be arraigned Dec. 18, Maloney said in an email. An arraignment is a formal court hearing in which a defendant is told the charges against him, enters a plea and is assigned legal representation if he doesn’t already have a lawyer.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trooper, dog abandoned amid Hurricane Milton, finds fur-ever home