Florida authorities have arrested 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia from Ruskin for allegedly leaving his dog tied to a post in floodwaters just before Hurricane Milton made landfall.
The incident occurred on Interstate-75 in Tampa when state troopers discovered the dog, struggling in water that had risen to chest level. Bodycam footage from the Florida Highway Patrol later showed the dramatic rescue, accompanied by a warning to residents: “Do NOT do this to your pets, please…”
Aldama Garcia was charged with aggravated animal cruelty and taken into custody on Monday. The dog, initially named Jumbo, was renamed Trooper and is currently in Tallahassee, where it will soon be adopted, as confirmed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a news conference.
Governor DeSantis emphasized the severity of the situation, saying, “The dog was very rattled from that experience. You don’t just tie up a dog and leave them out for a storm. Totally unacceptable, and we’re gonna hold you accountable.”
According to online jail records, Aldama Garcia was released on a $2,500 bond a day after his arrest. However, the date of his court appearance remains unclear.
Aldama Garcia told authorities that he had been fleeing to Georgia ahead of the storm but abandoned the dog by the roadside when he couldn’t find anyone to care for it. The dog was rescued after a tip led state trooper Orlando Morales to the scene, where the floodwaters had nearly submerged the animal.
In an unexpected twist, two days after the rescue, Aldama Garcia attempted to reclaim the dog from a local shelter, presenting photos as proof of ownership.
However, the dog had already been relocated to another facility. In an affidavit, Aldama Garcia expressed a willingness to surrender ownership if the foster family could offer “good care and love” for the dog, completing the necessary paperwork to relinquish his claim.
Suzy Lopez, the state attorney for Tampa’s 13th Judicial Circuit overseeing the case, stressed the seriousness of the crime.
“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. Quite frankly, I don’t think that is enough,” Lopez said. She urged lawmakers to consider harsher penalties for those who abandon animals during emergencies.
Lopez also praised Trooper Morales for his dedication to the rescue, noting that he is an animal lover and father to a rescue dog himself. “Thank you for your dedication to all of our residents – including the four-legged ones,” she added.