Man Arrested for Abandoning Dog During Hurricane Milton
A Florida man has been arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after admitting to leaving his dog tied to a pole during Hurricane Milton.
According to State Attorney Suzy Lopez, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, of Ruskin, Florida, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with animal cruelty. Garcia allegedly abandoned his dog, a bull terrier named Trooper, on the side of the highway while evacuating to Georgia during the hurricane.
Garcia was arrested at his rented home in Ruskin and released on a $2,500 bond early Tuesday. Court records indicate that he attempted to retrieve Trooper from the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter the day after the dog was found but changed his mind after learning the dog was with a foster family in Leon County.
“After finding out the dog was being fostered, he surrendered the dog due to someone else giving the dog a better life,” the arrest report said.
Suzy Lopez, the state attorney, said on Tuesday that Trooper was originally named Jumbo by Garcia and had lived with him since he was a puppy.
Lopez vowed to protect the county’s most vulnerable citizens, including its four-legged friends. ‘In Hillsborough County,’ she declared at a press conference, ‘we safeguard our elderly, children, and our beloved pets. Such cruelty as what this man inflicted on Trooper will not be tolerated in our community, not on my watch.’
Lopez expressed her shock and outrage at the incident. ‘As a dog owner and lover,’ she stated, ‘I cannot fathom how anyone could tie a dog to a pole on the interstate during a hurricane.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who was with Lopez during the conference called the act “totally unacceptable.”
“I’m glad there’s going to be accountability. I think people want to see that. It just shows we take this very seriously and we expect you to treat animals well in the state of Florida,” the governor added.
Florida Highway Patrol Police rescued Trooper last week after he was found tied to a pole on Interstate 75 near Bruce B Downs Boulevard in Tampa just hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall in the region.
Following his rescue, he was moved to Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center for check after which he was moved to the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee where he has since been taken care of.
The shelter reported receiving several adoption applications for Trooper but noted that he needs more time and a “safe environment to decompress” before he will be available for adoption.
“He needs a safe environment to decompress,” says the shelter. “Abandoning a dog like this doesn’t typically allow for an immediate bounce back to their happy selves. Most dogs when rescued take a few days to feel safe, a few weeks to come out of their shell, and a few months to become comfortable and fall into a routine.”
Trooper’s abandonment had sparked widespread outrage and concern within the community, especially given the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s warning about the importance of including pets in disaster preparedness plans.
“If you are a pet owner or have larger animals (i.e. livestock) it is important that you also consider their needs when developing your disaster plan,” a statement on their website reads.
“If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS OR ANIMALS BEHIND. It is unlikely for pets or larger animals to survive on their own. If by some chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return. Prepare now and protect your family and pets before the next disaster strikes.”
Despite these warnings, Garcia’s actions demonstrated a disregard for his dog’s safety and well-being during a time of crisis.
