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From ABC News: The former owner of a dog that was left tied to a post off a Florida highway in floodwaters ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall has been arrested for animal cruelty, officials announced Tuesday.
The dog was found up to its chest in floodwaters off Interstate 75 in Tampa on Oct. 9, as many residents were evacuating due to Milton, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
A state trooper rescued the dog, now known as Trooper, the department said. Florida Highway Patrol shared a video on social media last week of the dog tied to the post with the caption, “Do NOT do this to your pets please…”
The public erupted in outrage over the incident, as the dog would have clearly died if it had not been rescued ahead of the hurricane’s arrival.
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
The Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provided an update, showing the dog is now safe and well, and the cruel culprit who left him tied to the fence in the flood waters has been arrested. The agency wrote:
“On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, a dog, now known as Trooper, was found abandoned in flood waters up to his chest on Interstate-75 in Tampa while many residents were evacuating before Hurricane Milton.
Based upon a subsequent criminal investigation, State Troopers secured and executed a felony arrest warrant yesterday on Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, of Ruskin, Florida, for aggravated animal cruelty. Our agency is grateful for the unprecedented support of State Attorney Suzy Lopez and her prosecutors, particularly during a state of emergency. The criminal investigation is active and ongoing and additional information is unavailable at this time.”
-Dave Kerner, Executive Director
“On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, a dog, now known as Trooper, was found abandoned in flood waters up to his chest on Interstate-75 in Tampa while many residents were evacuating before Hurricane Milton.
Based upon a subsequent criminal investigation, State Troopers secured and… pic.twitter.com/br0jHNXeVY
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) October 15, 2024
According to the ABC News report, two days after the hurricane hit, Garcia actually walked into the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter, showed pictures proving he owned the dog, and said he was there to pick him up.
The dog was actually being held at the Leon County Animal Shelter. They contacted Garcia and he reportedly said he would “surrender ownership” if “the current foster will take good care and love the dog.” He filled out the appropriate paperwork to surrender the dog.
Garcia claimed he left the dog to the fence because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”
Police arrested the man who left his dog tied to a pole along the highway during Hurricane Milton.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia will be charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
Investigators say he abandoned his dog “Jumbo” because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.” https://t.co/bamSWp4Gai pic.twitter.com/4VaYGRkMze— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) October 15, 2024
ABC News reported that following Garcia’s arrest, he was released Tuesday on $2,500 cash bond, according to online jail records.
State Attorney Suzy Lopez announced, “An arrest has been made in this case. Trooper’s former owner is going to be facing aggravated animal cruelty charges. We take this crime very seriously and this defendant will face the consequences of his actions.”
“Thank you to @FHPTampa Trooper Morales for rescuing Trooper the dog during #HurricaneMilton. He’s an animal lover and father to a rescue dog himself. Thank you for your dedication to all of our residents- including the four-legged ones,” Lopez also wrote.
An arrest has been made in this case. Trooper’s former owner is going to be facing aggravated animal cruelty charges. We take this crime very seriously and this defendant will face the consequences of his actions.
— State Attorney Suzy Lopez (@SuzyLopezSA) October 15, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced during a press briefing that the former owner was being charged for animal cruelty.
“We said you’d be held accountable, and you will be held accountable,” he declared.
“We said you’d be held accountable, and you will be held accountable.”
–@GovRonDeSantis, announcing that authorities ID’d the former owner of the dog rescued by FHP before Milton.
FHP arrested the suspect on felony animal cruelty, and @SuzyLopezSA will be handling the case. pic.twitter.com/yBouiM5x9R
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) October 15, 2024
This guy has been arrested and charged for tying his dog to a fence post along I-75 as Hurricane Milton approached Florida.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia told investigators he heft his dog “Jumbo” because no one would pick him up. @FHPTampa troopers rescued the dog, who’s now safe. pic.twitter.com/Yo6fPkhgcI
— Gage Goulding – KPRC 2 (@GageGoulding) October 15, 2024
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