Criminal charges have been dropped against a Florida man who authorities said abandoned his dog in floodwaters near a highway as residents evacuated Florida’s Gulf Coast last year shortly before Hurricane Milton made landfall.

The case led to legislation signed into law this year by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , enhancing penalties on people who abandon pets during natural disasters. Carla and Frank Spina

Tampa-area prosecutors on Wednesday filed a court notice that they were dropping charges against the 24-year-old man from Ruskin, Florida, who had faced a count of felony aggravated animal cruelty. The “nolle prosequi” notice usually is filed when there's a lack of evidence or witnesses.

The bull terrier, nicknamed Trooper by the Florida Highway Patrol, was alive when he was found b

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