If you’re an animal lover like me, this story will boil your blood.

Imagine being outside when Hurricane Irma strikes. You have no shelter or protection from the elements, and no protective clothing. On top of that, the people you love most just dumped you there. And then left you alone.

It’s pretty dire, isn’t it? Your chance of survival would be nil.

Yet that’s what over 50 pets — 49 dogs and two cats — faced, until Palm Beach County Animal Care rescued them. And I’m not talking about animals left inside houses either. They were outside in yards, and even tied to trees, poles, and cars.

Such treatment would be a death sentence for these dogs. Hurricane winds of 100+ mph would fling projectiles at the trapped animals. And then there’s flooding, which would slowly drown them. It certainly would be a slow, brutal, and terrifying demise for these pets.

In addition, it’s also very illegal for pet owners abandon their animals in such a manner. The Director of Animal Care in Palm Beach County intends to prosecute these deadbeat owners. “This is absolutely felony animal cruelty. It’s deliberate,” she said. Florida’s State Attorney Dave Aronberg added, “This is a prime example of animal cruelty. We will find you, and we will prosecute you.”