The man who tied his dog to a pole along a major highway as Hurricane Milton tore through Florida has been identified and charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
In a heartbreaking video, the white puppy with black ears was seen terrified and growling as he stood in water up to his chest as police rescued the dog.
State’s Attorney Suzy Lopez announced that the dog’s former owner has been identified as Giovanny Garcia.
Garcia admitted to leaving his dog, which he named Jumbo, on I-75 when he evacuated to Georgia because he couldn’t find anyone to pick up the puppy, reported WWSB.
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously. This defendant is charged with a crime and faces up to five years in prison for his actions,” Lopez said.
Heartbreaking video shows the white puppy with black ears terrified and growling as he stood in water up to his chest as police rescued the dog
Giovanny Aldama Garcia has been accused of tying his dog to a pole as Hurricane Milton headed toward Florida.
“Honestly, I don’t think that’s enough. Hopefully, lawmakers will look at this matter and discuss changing the law to allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon their animals during the state of emergency.”
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales received a tip about the animal and found it in a grassy area on the side of I-75 near Bruce B Downs Boulevard near Tampa.
“It’s okay, buddy, it’s okay,” the officer was heard saying as the dog tried to back away. “It’s okay, it’s okay!”
When the Morales approached the dog and realized he was stuck, he began growling as the small animal stood in water up to his chest.
Despite several attempts to comfort the dog, he continued to growl and bark.
“I don’t blame you,” the officer said. “It’s okay, buddy, it’s okay.
Ultimately, the dog was found safe and given a clean bill of health from a vet.
State’s Attorney Suzy Lopez announced that the dog’s former owner has been identified as Giovanny Garcia
Garcia admitted to leaving his dog, whom he named Jumbo, on I-75 when he evacuated to Georgia
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales (left) received a tip about the animal and found it in the lawn
Staff at the Leon County Humane Society renamed the dog Trooper because of “how much he has been through” and “to honor those who saved him,” the people said. WHITSP.
“We cannot imagine the situation that ended with him being tied to this post, leaving him without any hope. It’s hard to imagine how scared he must have been as the cars sped by, the water rose to his stomach and the storm clouds darkened.’
Governor Ron DeSantis praised the Trooper for his rescue efforts and applauded the state’s attorney for holding the dog abuser accountable.
“We had someone decide as Hurricane Milton approached that it would somehow be a good thing to tie his dog to a pole along the highway,” DeSantis said.
“We said you would be held accountable and you will be held accountable.”