Throw the book at ’em.
Last week, with Hurricane Milton bearing down on the Florida coast, the Florida Highway Patrol shared a heartbreaking video of troopers rescuing a poor dog that was chained to a fence on the side of the road as the storm approached.
Officers attempted to calm the dog, who was already standing in water up to its belly, while pleading with residents not to be like whoever did this to their poor pup:
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
They were luckily able to get the dog to safety, and the Leon County Humane Society shared an update last week after receiving numerous inquiries about adopting the bull terrier who is now named Trooper.
Update: The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health. pic.twitter.com/cut1jv7cBe
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) October 9, 2024
According to the shelter, Trooper is recovering well but still “incredibly stressed and still decompressing,” so it’s going to be a bit before he’s able to be adopted. But in the meantime, rumors began to spread that the dog had been reunited with his owner, rumors which the shelter quickly shot down.
And not only is he not going to be returned to his owner, but today authorities announced that animal cruelty charges have been filed against owner Giovanny Aldama Garcia.
According to the state attorney’s office, Garcia reportedly told them that he left the dog (then named Jumbo) tied up to the fence as he evacuated because he couldn’t find anybody to take him.
(Couldn’t find anybody to take him? YOU take him…)
But anyway, Garcia is now facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty, a third degree felony with a penalty of up to five years in prison. And according to State Attorney Susan Lopez, even that’s not long enough:
“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. 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.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also spoke at a press conference announcing the charges, calling Garcia’s actions “totally unacceptable” and vowing to prosecute crimes committed before, during and after the hurricane.
🚨 #BREAKING: The Florida man who abandoned and chained his dog to a fence just prior to Hurricane Milton has been ARRESTED, Gov. Ron DeSantis says
GREAT news! 🔥
A video of the dog, now named Trooper, went viral last week, and he’s now been adopted.
The man was charged with… pic.twitter.com/eznhe6NqZb
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 15, 2024
