TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — 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.
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 by a trooper in floodwaters up to his chest along Interstate 75 in the Tampa area as residents evacuated Florida’s Gulf Coast hours before the Category 3 hurricane made landfall.
Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health. He eventually was adopted by a couple in the Fort Lauderdale area.
FILE - This undated photo provided by Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shows a dog nicknamed Trooper, who was found abandoned along Interstate 75 in Tampa, Fla., as residents evacuated Florida's Gulf Coast last week shortly before Hurricane Milton made landfall. (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles via AP, file)
MIAMI (AP) — Zach LaVine had season highs of eight 3-pointers and 42 points, and the Sacramento Kings got their first double-digit win of the season Saturday by topping the Miami Heat 127-111.
Keegan Murray scored 16, Nique Clifford had 15 and DeMar DeRozan finished with 13 for the Kings, who came into the game having lost four straight and 12 of their last 14. Sacramento's five wins entering the night were by a combined 18 points, none of them by more than a five-point margin.
LaVine’s previous bests this season were six 3s and 34 points. Sacramento led by as many as 28 — another season-best — and got its biggest win ever in Miami. The Kings were 6-31 all-time in Miami, never winning by more than 15 points.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 27 for the Heat, who have dropped three straight for the first time this season. Simone Fontecchio scored 20 for the Heat, who got 18 from Norman Powell and 13 from Andrew Wiggins.
The Heat played without Tyler Herro (right big toe contusion), Davion Mitchell (right groin tightness) and Pelle Larsson (right hip flexor tightness). Herro — who missed time to start the season while recovering from offseason surgery — had an MRI on Saturday to see the scope of the toe issue, and he's listed as day to day.
Fontecchio made a 3-pointer early in the second quarter for a 35-34 Miami lead, but that would be the last Heat edge of the night. LaVine had 29 by halftime and the Kings finished the second quarter on a 23-7 run to take a 72-55 lead into the break.
Miami got within 15 in the fourth but never made a serious run.
Kings: Visit Indiana on Monday.
Heat: Visit Orlando on Tuesday in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Sacramento Kings guard Zach Lavine (8) drives against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jović, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Sacramento Kings guard Zach Lavine (8) scores in front of Miami Heat guard Jahmir Young (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Sacramento Kings guard Zach Lavine (8) prepares to shoot a basket over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Sacramento Kings guard Zach Lavine (8) tries to control the ball against Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Sacramento Kings guard Zach Lavine, left, shoots over Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
