A young bull terrier found tied to a fence and left for dead during Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida earlier this year found a forever home Monday. Meanwhile, the alleged abuser's former owner is awaiting his court date for his cruel actions.
Officials said the puppy, named Trooper, was adopted by a loving couple who have been caring for bull terriers for more than 30 years. facebook post From the Leon County Humane Society.
Frank and Carla Spina said they were heartbroken to hear Trooper's story after the devastating storm that killed 32 people in the southern United States in October.
“We both watched the video and I've had bull terriers for 30 years and this is my 34th year of raising exclusively this breed,” said Frank Spina. fox 13 tampa on tuesday.
“I said to Carla, ‘I have to go get him.’” She said, “I’ll try.” I don't know how to get him. ”
Florida Highway Patrol troopers found a dog tied to a fence along Interstate 75 in Tampa as a severe storm rapidly approached the Sunshine State.
A viral video showed police trudging through a flooded field and narrowly rescuing the frightened puppy.
The Leon County Humane Society, after being contacted by Governor Ron DeSantis' office, sent the trooper to a foster home in Tallahassee. The dog-loving couple closely monitored his condition throughout the trip.
A few weeks later, the Spinas learned that Trooper was up for adoption, and they didn't hesitate to apply.
They wrote a heartwarming two-page letter professing their love for the bull terrier breed and their desire to welcome Trooper into their family.
However, according to Fox 13, there were some concerns at the shelter where Trooper was staying during the adoption stage because Trooper's former abuser was a man and he had not been responsive to men since being taken into care. That's what it means.
But Frank Spina, an experienced bull terrier owner, didn't care about their concerns.
“I said, 'Listen, there's nothing wrong with me and him. We're going to be best friends,'” he told the outlet.
“I said, 'If you come pick it up on Friday or Sunday, we'll sit on the couch and watch TV.' And they were like, 'No way.'”
The couple drove to meet the troopers and it was clear the pup had found his forever home.
According to the Leon County Humane Society, “From the moment he was introduced to his new mom and dad, we knew he was a perfect match.”
“In other meetings, the trooper was usually visibly irritated and uncomfortable, but with Frank and Carla, the trooper immediately seemed at ease.”
One of the shelter's staff told Frank Spina it was clearly “a match made in heaven,” and it was like “a spell was cast on him,” Frank Spina told FOX 13.
The couple also had another bull terrier, a female dog named Dallas, and were overjoyed to see how quickly the two dogs hit it off.
“Dallas, her eyes lit up. She looked at Prince Charming, and that's how they became friends,” he said.
The couple believe Trooper is about 3 years old and has settled into their loving home.
His heartless former owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, was arrested on October 15th and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.
Garcia admitted to leaving his dog, a white bull terrier called “Jumbo,” on Interstate 75 as he sped toward Georgia before the storm.
A 23-year-old man told authorities he abandoned the puppy because he “couldn't find anyone to take it back.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis condemned Garcia's “unacceptable” behavior as he evacuated from the eye of the storm.
“When this poor dog was left in the wild, we said…if we find out who did it, we're going to get him,” DeSantis said. And that's exactly what they're doing here in Hillsborough County with State Attorney Lopez. ”
“You don't just tie up a dog and leave it there to prepare for a storm. It's completely unacceptable and we're going to hold people accountable,” DeSantis said at a news conference in October.
Hillsborough County State's Attorney Susie Lopez said Garcia could face up to five years in prison for the felony charge and would not have the dog returned.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Lopez said Mr. Garcia will be arraigned on Dec. 18. tallahassee.com Monday.
