12/18/2025
Florida just made history with something our dogs have deserved for far too long. Trooper’s Law now makes it a felony to abandon a dog tied up during a declared natural disaster like hurricanes and floods, and it was born from pure heartbreak. Trooper, a bull terrier, was found clinging to life after being left behind during a devastating storm. Rescuers said he waited, hungry and shaking, still watching the doorway for the people who never came back. Even as the water rose and the wind howled, he stayed loyal to the very end.
His story spread across Florida in an instant, and with it came a collective ache and a shared promise. Never again. For the first time, lawmakers said out loud what animal lovers have always known. A dog’s life is not optional. Their fear is real. Their devotion is absolute.
Trooper’s Law is not just about punishment. It is about protection and prevention. It pushes for emergency pet refuges, stronger systems to reunite lost animals, and disaster response efforts that treat pets as family, not afterthoughts. It draws a clear line and tells every owner in Florida that leaving a dog behind on purpose will have consequences.
This law matters because dogs still wait on flooded porches and broken steps, still curl up by empty doors, still believe their humans will return even when the world is falling apart. Trooper’s Law is justice, but it is also hope. Not just for Florida, but for every state watching and every dog who trusts without question.
Because loyalty like theirs should never be met with abandonment. ❤️🐾