Dog found abandoned in cage on side of I-275

TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Highway Patrol says a dog was found abandoned and caged on the shoulder of Interstate 275 early Wednesday, and troopers are searching for his owner.

What we know:

In a post on social media, FHP said a driver spotted the American pit mix along the northbound side of I-275 north of Bearss Ave. in Hillsborough County.

Hillsborough County Animal Control responded at the request of FHP and rescued the dog, according to troopers, who say he had been in the kennel for "some time" but was not injured.

What we don't know:

Investigators have not said what possible charges the dog's owner, if identified, could face.

Dig deeper:

The dog remains at the Hillsborough Pet Resource Center. Chelsea Waldeck, the division director, said the conditions the dog was found in were unimaginable. 

"With no food or water, no shade with a heat index well into the 100s today, that could have been very, very catastrophic for this poor little dog," she said. 

The dog is not microchipped. 

"Unfortunately, he was covered in fecal matter," she said. "We do not know how long he had been on the side of 275."

Staff at the PRC decided to name the estimated 2-year-old mixed breed, 'Nieman,' after Trooper Daniel Nieman Jr., who helped save him. 

Waldeck said the situation is eerily similar to Trooper the dog, who was found tied up to a fence along I-75 last year during Hurricane Milton evacuations. 

"Trooper is a bull terrier that was actually found here in Hillsborough County, came through Pet Resource Center and then back out to Florida Highway Patrol," she said. 

Trooper's legacy is "Trooper's Law," which was passed this legislative session. "....that if you abandon a pet during a declared disaster, the fines and the penalties are going to be much stiffer."

While this case does not fall under Trooper's Law, Waldeck said the culprit will likely face charges. 

"This will still fall under animal cruelty as well as abandonment," she said. 

Waldeck explained that abandoning an animal like this is never the answer. 

"Here at the Pet Resource Center, we do have a Pet Support Team. If someone is needing to surrender their pet that we can put them in contact with and try to provide resources to one, either be able to keep their pets or two, be able to rehome them without having to come to the shelter. But if it does have to happen, we will take in those pets as well," she said. 

Nieman is under a three-day stray hold while he undergoes neuter surgery, microchipping, and vaccinations. Then he will be available for adoption. 

What you can do:

Anyone who recognizes the dog or knows his owner is asked to call *FHP (*347).

The PRC said outside of Nieman, more than 250 animals are ready for adoption. Fees are currently waived. For more information, click here.