A Florida man is facing felony charges after abandoning his dog, now named Trooper, in rising floodwaters as Hurricane Milton approached the state. Authorities arrested 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia on charges of aggravated animal cruelty and animal abandonment after the dog was rescued from chest-deep floodwaters along Interstate 75.
Trooper, a mixed-breed dog, was found tied to a fence on Oct. 9 as residents evacuated ahead of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall later that day as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key. Florida Highway Patrol officers received a tip about the dog and quickly responded, finding him in distress with floodwater up to his chest.
Video footage of the rescue, shared by the Florida Highway Patrol on social media, sparked outrage and calls for accountability. In the post, the patrol urged pet owners to never leave animals behind during disasters, emphasizing the severity of the situation. The trooper was taken to safety and is now recovering at the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee.
Arrest and Charges
Giovanny Aldama Garcia, who admitted to abandoning the dog as he evacuated to Georgia, was arrested on Monday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony that carries a potential five-year prison sentence. According to the affidavit, Garcia told investigators he couldn’t find anyone to care for Trooper as he fled the state. He allegedly left the dog tied up on the side of the highway, placing him in imminent danger as the storm approached.
“We take this crime very seriously, and this defendant will face the consequences of his actions,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez, who is prosecuting the case. Lopez further expressed hope that lawmakers would consider harsher penalties for those who abandon pets during emergencies, noting that current law allows for a maximum sentence of five years.
Garcia was released on a $2,500 bond, and attempts to reach him for comment have been unsuccessful. He visited the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter on Oct. 11, attempting to reclaim Trooper, but the shelter had already transferred the dog to Leon County Humane Society for protection. Garcia ultimately filed paperwork to surrender ownership, stating that if a foster family would love and care for the dog, he would give up his claim to Trooper.
Trooper’s Recovery and Adoption
Since his rescue, Trooper has been receiving care at the Leon County Humane Society, where he is in good health and recovering from the traumatic ordeal. The shelter renamed him ‘Trooper’ in honor of his resilience and the efforts of the Florida Highway Patrol officers who saved him.
“His name is Trooper because of how much he’s been through and to honor those who saved him,” the shelter shared in a Facebook post.
While dozens of inquiries about adopting Trooper have poured in, the shelter emphasized that Trooper needs time to decompress before being placed in a permanent home. “He needs time to heal in foster care so we can ensure the best fit possible for his forever home,” the shelter said.
Community and Legal Response
The incident has fueled discussions about the need for stronger legal protections for animals during natural disasters. At a press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis condemned the abandonment, saying, “You don’t just tie up a dog and leave them out there during a storm—it’s totally unacceptable. We said people would be held accountable, and we’re following through on that.”
As Trooper continues his recovery, animal welfare advocates are encouraging pet owners to make emergency evacuation plans that include their pets, ensuring that no animals are left behind during dangerous situations like hurricanes.
The criminal investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing, and authorities are committed to ensuring that similar cases are handled with the utmost seriousness.
Source:
- NBC NEWS – https://www.nbcnews.com
- Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – https://x.com/FLHSMV
