DeSantis vows accountability for dog owners who leave pets tied up outside ahead of hurricane

Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday promised to hold pet owners accountable if they leave their animals tied up outside ahead of the major hurricane that is projected to make landfall on Wednesday evening.

Hurricane Milton is currently a Category 3 storm, with sustained winds of up to 120 mph. The hurricane is expected to cause major damage in Tampa and Sarasota because of high winds and a heavy storm surge, and has already spurned at least 11 confirmed tornadoes in Florida.

DeSantis responded to reports that the Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa had rescued a dog that was tied up on an interstate on Wednesday morning. 

"It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm," DeSantis posted to X. "FL will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable."

The comment comes after thousands of state residents were ordered to evacuate ahead of the hurricane. The National Weather Service has since issued a "shelter-in-place" order. But the surge of departures resulted in a shortage of fuel at over a thousand gas stations state-wide on Tuesday.

 Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.