A Florida man faces serious consequences after allegedly abandoning his dog on the side of Interstate 75 while fleeing Hurricane Milton. State Attorney Suzy Lopez has charged Giovanny Aldama Garcia with aggravated animal cruelty in connection with the inhumane conduct.
Garcia reportedly acknowledged leaving his dog, “Jumbo,” tied up on the side of the roadway while he fled to Georgia. He stated he couldn’t locate someone to take the dog and decided to leave him behind instead.
A worried driver notified authorities about the abandoned animal. As the hurricane approached, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales reacted and observed that the dog was stranded, with rising floodwaters approaching its neck.
Trooper Morales rescued the puppy, now appropriately named “Trooper,” who is luckily safe and sound. Garcia will not receive the dog back, according to authorities.
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty quite seriously. We charge this defendant with a felony and face up to five years in jail for his acts. Quite simply, I don’t think that’s enough.”Hopefully, lawmakers will look into this case and consider changing the law to allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon their animals during an emergency,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
