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A bull terrier rescued from the side of a Florida highway during Hurricane Milton has been named “Trooper” in honor of the Tampa Highway Patrolman who rescued him.

A video of the incident went viral on Wednesday and received attention from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In it, Trooper was clearly scared and agitated and barked at the man who found him and tried to calm him down. The dog stood in water up to his legs as the rain continued to fall.

The puppy was found along Interstate 75, an evacuation route for tens of thousands of Florida residents fleeing the state’s west coast.

“We have so much appreciation for how that soldier handled that and how much care he took in rescuing him and making sure he had a soft place to land,” said Katie Stryker, graphic design and marketing coordinator for the Leon County Humane Society. The independent on Friday. “That was absolutely above and beyond.”

The humane society, based in Tallahassee, does not know how Trooper became attached to the chicken wire, or how long he was tied up. His nails are clipped and he is a healthy weight. They haven’t had a chance to talk to the officer who rescued the dog yet.

“We have seen dogs on leashes get scared (and) run away, especially during an evacuation. It’s possible he was trapped,” Snyder said.

No charges have been filed in connection with the incident.

Although Trooper is now in the association’s care, he was initially taken to the Hillsborough Pete Resource Center where he was given a clean bill of health and checked for a microchip. After determining that the dog had been abandoned, he was released to the same soldier who rescued him.

No original owner has come forward, although Trooper was incorrectly listed as having been “returned to owner.”

Then the governor’s office called asking if the humane society could take Trooper from emergency management services and transport him from Hillsborough County to Leon County. Trooper drove to Tallahassee and is in foster care.

Trooper is stressed and anxious, Snyder said, and new places and people make him feel uncomfortable.

But Trooper is starting to warm up to people and they have learned more about him. For example, he likes swimming, but may not like children. He is not yet up for adoption and they hope to find out more about him in the coming weeks.

“We want to know more so we can place him in the best home and make sure that house becomes his forever home,” Snyder said.

There are currently 200 animals in the association’s care, including cats that were also rescued during the hurricane.

Snyder emphasized that Trooper is not the only dog ​​with a story and not the only dog ​​that needs a home there.

“Go out and adopt a dog because there are so many more like Trooper who didn’t become famous and who still need you.”