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The owner of the dog found chained to a fence before Hurricane Milton’s landfall has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty, State Attorney Suzy Lopez announced on Tuesday, October 15.
The former owner of the dog, identified by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) as 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia of Ruskin, Florida, has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
In a press release shared by State Attorney Suzy Lopez, the former owner told investigators that he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane but left his dog, “Jumbo”, on the side of the road “because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”
The press release also reveals the identity of the Trooper who saved the dog, Trooper Orlando Morales, who is, coincidentally, a dog lover and a dog dad to a rescue dog himself.
“Trooper Orlando Morales got a tip from a driver about the animal on the side of the road and diligently searched until he saw the dog tied up,” the press release read.
“Trooper Morales found the dog as water was rising to the animal’s neck and Hurricane Milton was bearing down on Tampa.”
The rescued dog, a Bull Terrier, is now named ‘Trooper’, “because of how much he’s been through and to honor those who saved him” and is currently in the care of the Leon County Humane Society.
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said.
She also reveals that the former owner could face up to five years in prison for abandoning Trooper. But State Attorney Suzy Lopez believes that the sentence is not enough and calls for harsher penalties for people who abandon their pets.
She explains, “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.”
Meanwhile, inquiries to adopt Trooper have been pouring, the Leon County Humane Society reveals.
However, he is not ready for adoption yet and the animal shelter urged everyone to instead look at other dogs that deserve the same attention and care and are ready for a forever home.
“We stress that there are thousands of dogs who deserve this same level of attention, care, and advocacy, and hope that Trooper’s situation inspires a kinder future for all dogs,” the animal shelter wrote.
“Please visit your local shelters and support your local rescues. There could be a dog right up the road who needs you, and Trooper is more than willing to take credit for bringing you together.”
