Dog Tied to Fence as Hurricane Advances

Hurricane Milton: Concerns for People and Animals as Storm Approaches

As Hurricane Milton begins to hit the Florida coast, concerns for people and animals have flooded online platforms. Amid discussions on safety, one post went viral Wednesday as an example of what not to do.

Posted on the Florida Highway Patrol-Tampa X account, the video shows police approaching a dog tied to a fence near Interstate 75 in Tampa. The dog, standing in stomach-high water, grows fearful when an officer approaches, saying, "It's okay" and "I don't blame you."

"Do NOT do this to your pets please," the post's caption read. Gov. Ron DeSantis reposted the video, saying, "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."

Watch the rescue here

Other online posts have debated best practices for animal safety. One X user showed themselves painting their phone number on their horses' bellies to facilitate reunification after the storm. Others suggested braiding name tags into their horses' manes.

"Lot of people not understanding this is the standard protocol and the BEST way to give your horses a chance in a natural disaster," said X user @adversewitness. "Let them go and they’ll find higher ground. It’s not cruel. Cruel is leaving them in a fenced pasture to drown."

Prepare what you can

"Preparation is really key," Jessica Johnson, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team, told USA TODAY. "Especially if you live in an area prone to disasters or hazardous events, having a plan and preparation is truly key."

Assemble a pet preparedness kit with veterinary records, photos, medications, a crate or carrier, and a few days' worth of water and food. Also, identify safe places for your pets if you can't take them with you.

"Contact your Animal Services, your disaster services locally in your community and there might be somewhere where you can take them that is offering temporary boarding. It might be a higher ground, it might be, sometimes they open up a fairground or a farm."

In emergencies with little time to prepare, Johnson advises grabbing your pet and essentials, then contacting local services for further help.

Tips for small animals

"For our small, animal friends, our recommendation is to bring them with you," Johnson said. If you can't, contact local animal services or emergency departments for temporary shelter options.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests moving to higher ground in your home if flooding occurs and filling bathtubs with water ahead of power outages. Detailed disaster preparedness tips can be found on the ASPCA's disaster preparedness page.

Best practices for large animals like livestock and horses

Large animals present unique challenges. The Humane Society of the United States suggests keeping barn doors unlocked and letting animals free to find higher ground if possible.

Other tips include:

• Prepare an emergency kit with veterinary records, medications, and food.
• Use non-toxic paint to label animals with contact information.
• Ensure poultry has high perches and clean water above flood lines.
• Reinforce structures and manage fencing to allow animal movement.
• Secure electrical machinery and remove flammable debris.

Contributing: Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY.