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Cruel Owner Arrested For Tying His Dog To Fence During Hurricane Milton Reveals Why He Did It
A Florida man who left his dog tied to a fence during the onslaught of Hurricane Milton has finally been caught.
The white bull terrier, now known as “Trooper,” was abandoned along Interstate 75 in Tampa as residents evacuated before the storm.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia, the dog’s owner, was arrested on Monday under the charges of aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.
Highlights
- A Florida man was arrested for leaving jos dog tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton.
- The owner claims he left his dog due to lack of accomodation options.
- Politicians were urged to toughen laws on animal mistreatment.
RELATED:
A Florida dog owner has been arrested after leaving his dog abandoned and tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton
Image credits: Leon County Humane Society
When Florida Highway Patrol officers stumbled upon the scene, the dog had already been trapped “in flood waters up to his chest.”
The group released a bodycam video on X on October 9, with the caption: “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…”
In the video, Trooper’s white head is visible on a grassy hill by the highway. The dog can be heard growling and barking while standing in a deep puddle, as the officer offers reassuring words, saying, “I don’t blame you.”
Image credits: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
When Garcia was confronted about his behavior, the 23-year-old simply stated that he left his dog, Jumbo, because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”
Following the incident, politicians have been asked to change current laws regarding the mistreatment of animals
Image credits: FHPTampa
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
Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez didn’t hesitate to put Garcia on blast.
“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,” Lopez stated. “Quite frankly, I don’t think that is enough.”
Image credits: FLHSMV
“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.”
The owner seemed to have searched for the dog at a local shelter after the storm
Image credits: Leon County Humane Society
Garcia allegedly traveled to Hillsborough County Animal Shelter two days after Hurricane Milton made landfall and showed photos of his dog to a shelter clerk to prove that he owned Trooper.
He found out the terrier was being housed at Leon County Animal Shelter instead. When an employee contacted Garcia, he reportedly said he’d “surrender ownership” of the dog if Trooper was placed with a loving foster family.
Image credits: Leon County Humane Society
Garcia has not publicly commented on the incident or his arrest.
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What do you think ?
Cheryl Squicciarini 2 months ago
Something also needs to be done about the hospitality industry’s response to pet owners traveling with pets during a state of emergency. Demand a cleaning/damage deposit but don’t turn people away because of their pets.
Scott Rackley 2 months ago (edited)
Utter BS. No lodging? Lets make sure I tie the dog down to ensure it drowns. Not take the leash off so it could at least find high ground and survive. Let's make sure it's in the first place that floods, a ditch.
meekins 2 months ago
that was exactly my thought - he didn’t just abandon the dog tied/chained or in a crate at home like some, which is bad enough. he tied him on the side of a road in a ditch that *already* had a deep puddle. the instant i saw that dog’s photo my first thought was how it look so clearly like the owner drove until they found that water-filled ditch and then tied the dog there to make sure the dog drowned in the storm. and then has the gall to go around asking for him and saying he “surrendered ownership”
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Cheryl Squicciarini 2 months ago
Something also needs to be done about the hospitality industry’s response to pet owners traveling with pets during a state of emergency. Demand a cleaning/damage deposit but don’t turn people away because of their pets.
Scott Rackley 2 months ago (edited)
Utter BS. No lodging? Lets make sure I tie the dog down to ensure it drowns. Not take the leash off so it could at least find high ground and survive. Let's make sure it's in the first place that floods, a ditch.
meekins 2 months ago
that was exactly my thought - he didn’t just abandon the dog tied/chained or in a crate at home like some, which is bad enough. he tied him on the side of a road in a ditch that *already* had a deep puddle. the instant i saw that dog’s photo my first thought was how it look so clearly like the owner drove until they found that water-filled ditch and then tied the dog there to make sure the dog drowned in the storm. and then has the gall to go around asking for him and saying he “surrendered ownership”
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