Left Behind: Florida Troopers Rescue Two Dogs Abandoned at Sumter County Rest Stop

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)

News Brief:

• Two dogs were found abandoned at the northbound Sumter County rest area along Interstate 75

• Florida Highway Patrol says the dogs were allegedly tied to a dumpster before being located

• Troopers are searching for a woman reportedly seen in a red van with the dogs

• The pups are now safe, but the investigation remains active

By Ciara Perez, Senior Multimedia Correspondent

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published May 20th, 2026

Florida Highway Patrol rescued two dogs found abandoned at a Sumter County I-75 rest area. Troopers are searching for a woman seen with the pups in a red van.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — In a heartbreaking case that’s sparking outrage across Florida, two dogs were found abandoned at the northbound Sumter County rest area along Interstate 75, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 

Photos shared by FHP show the two smiling pups safely inside a patrol vehicle after being rescued, a stark contrast to the circumstances troopers say they were found in.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol’s Tampa division, state troopers located the dogs tied to a dumpster at the Sumter County rest area. Authorities say they are now trying to identify a woman who may have been involved.

“If you recall a white female in a red van in the rest area with these pups, please call *FHP (*347),” the agency posted.

While the dogs appear physically safe in the photos, the emotional toll of abandonment is harder to measure.

For many animal lovers, the images are difficult to look at without feeling a knot in their stomach. Rest areas are meant to be a safe stop for weary travelers — not a place where innocent animals are left behind, confused and waiting for someone who may never return.

It remains unclear how long the dogs were left there before troopers found them, or whether any charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

Florida has strict laws regarding animal abandonment and cruelty, and investigators may determine whether criminal violations occurred depending on the circumstances.

For now, the most important update is this: these two pups are safe.

Anyone who may have information is urged to contact the Florida Highway Patrol by dialing *347 (*FHP).

Source: Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)

Stay with iSkyNews.com for updates on this developing story.

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