Dog abandoned in Tampa during Hurricane Milton evacuation prompts legislation

Catch up quick: Also called "Trooper's Law," the proposal was inspired by a bull terrier that was tied to a pole on the side of Interstate 75 near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Tampa while Floridians evacuated ahead of Hurricane Milton last year.

• Florida Highway Patrol troopers spotted and rescued the dog, who was later named Trooper. A video of the rescue posted on X went viral.

• Authorities arrested and charged the dog's former owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia of Ruskin, with aggravated cruelty to animals. He pleaded not guilty, and his case was pending as of Monday, court records show.

State of play: The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Pensacola, sailed through its first stop this month with bipartisan support among members of the Committee on Criminal Justice.

• It'll head next to the Committee on Agriculture, which is set to vote on the bill on Monday. A similar version of the legislation that was filed in the House hasn't been heard by lawmakers yet.

The latest: After a few weeks of living with a foster family, Trooper was adopted by a Parkland couple late last year.

• The pooch has since undergone surgeries to remove cancerous tumors and trash found inside his body that he probably ate when he was living with his old owner, the couple said recently. He's since been doing well.