A cruel Florida dog owner was caught leaving his dog tied to a fence in floodwaters next to a highway as Hurricane Milton hit the Sunshine State last week.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested Monday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.
Garcia admitted that he left his dog, a white bull terrier, on Interstate 75 as he sped toward Georgia ahead of the storm.
Hillsborough County State's Attorney Susie Lopez said the 23-year-old boy told authorities he abandoned his dog, Jumbo, because he “couldn't find anyone to take him back.”
Mr. López condemned Mr. Garcia's actions and called on politicians to help reform the current law.
“Hillsborough County takes animal cruelty very seriously. This defendant has been charged with a felony, and his actions could result in up to five years in prison,” Lopez said. “Frankly, I don't think that's enough. Hopefully, lawmakers will consider this case and discuss changes to the law that would allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon animals during a state of emergency. .”
The driver alerted Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales, who conducted an “intense search” for the dog.
Morales drove 400 meters south and used a portable speaker to call for the dog.
Eventually the canine was found, and the shivering dog growled and barked at Morales.
“I don't blame you,” the police officer said. Tampa Bay Times.
Morales parked his patrol car and trudged across a wet field next to Interstate 75 to rescue the frightened animal as the water rose above the dog's legs.
The dog was taken to a veterinarian, examined for injuries, and given a health certificate.
The Leon County Humane Society stepped in to adopt the bull terrier to a foster home in Tallahassee, honoring the people who rescued him from the devastating storm. I named him Trooper.
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 nail 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. That's totally unacceptable and we're going to hold people accountable,” DeSantis said at a news conference Tuesday.
Garcia faces up to five years in prison for the felony charge, and the dog will not be returned, Lopez said.
He was released from jail on Tuesday on $2,500 cash bail.
