A Florida man who left his dog tied to a fence during the onslaught of Hurricane Milton has finally been caught.
The white bull terrier, now known as “Trooper” was abandoned along Interstate 75 in Tampa as residents were evacuating from the storm.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia, the owner, was arrested on Monday under the charges of aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.
A Florida dog owner has been arrested after leaving his dog abandoned and tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton
As Florida’s Highway Patrol Troop stumbled upon the scene, the dog had already been trapped “in flood waters up to his chest.”
The group released a bodycam video to X on October 9. The caption read, “FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please…”
Trooper’s white head was poking through the grassy hill by the highway. The dog can be heard growling and barking as he stood in a deep puddle, while the officer offered reassuring words, saying, “I don’t blame you.”
When Garcia was confronted for his behavior, the 23-year-old simply stated he left his dog Jumbo because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”
Following the incident, politicians were asked to change current laws regarding the mistreatment of animals
FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please… pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2
— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) October 9, 2024
Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez didn’t hesitate to put Garcia on blast.
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously. This defendant is charged with a felony and could face up to five years in prison for his actions,” Lopez stated. “Quite frankly, I don’t think that is enough.
“Hopefully, lawmakers take a look at this case and discuss changing the law to allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon their animals during a state of emergency.”
The owner seemed to have searched for the dog at a local shelter after the storm
Garcia allegedly traveled to Hillsborough County Animal Shelter two days after Hurricane Milton touched land and showed photos of his dog to a shelter clerk, as proof that he owned Trooper.
He found out the terrier was being housed at Leon County Animal Shelter instead. When an employee contacted Garcia, he reportedly said he’d “surrender ownership” of the dog if Trooper was given to a loving foster family.
Garcia has not publicly commented on the incident nor his arrest.
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