Prosecutors have dismissed an animal cruelty charge against a Florida man whose abandonment of a dog in rising floodwaters from Hurricane Milton last year inspired a new state law that makes it a felony to abandon dogs during disasters or evacuations.

nyti.msCharge Is Dropped Against Man Who Abandoned Dog Before Hurricane MiltonThe rescue of Trooper, a bull terrier, off Interstate 75 as Hurricane Milton approached Florida last year inspired a new state law making it a crime to abandon dogs during disasters.