A Florida man accused of tying his dog to a fence and abandoning it as Hurricane Milton approached the state has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty, authorities said Tuesday.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, of Ruskin, was arrested on felony aggravated animal cruelty charges on Monday, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Suzy Lopez, the Thirteenth Circuit State Attorney, is pursuing the charges against Garcia, who acknowledged to leaving his dog on the highway as he fled the state in expectation of Milton, according to a statement from the office.
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously,” Lopez stated in the statement. “This defendant is charged with a felony and could face up to five years in prison for his actions.”
According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office jail records, Garcia was released on bond but did not have a counsel listed.
Attempts to reach Garcia at a phone number listed as his were unsuccessful, and an email requesting comment to an address identified as his did not receive an immediate response Tuesday night. Calls to the numbers identified as his parents’ remained unanswered.
Lopez said she believes five years in prison is insufficient and hopes lawmakers will “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.”
Dave Kerner, executive director of the Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department, stated that the inquiry is “active and ongoing,” and that no other information is available.
Kerner also stated that the department is “grateful for the unprecedented support of State Attorney Suzy Lopez and her prosecutors, particularly during a state of emergency.”
Florida Highway Patrol troopers discovered the dog, now known as Trooper, Wednesday on Interstate 75 in Tampa “in flood waters up to his chest” as Floridians evacuated in anticipation of Milton’s impact, according to Kerner. Highway patrol police transported the Trooper to the vet, where he was declared safe and healthy.
Lopez stated during a press conference Tuesday alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis that the trooper was facing “sure death” when he discovered him.
According to a statement from the state attorney’s office, Garcia told investigators that he abandoned his dog on his way to Georgia because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick it up.”
A trooper received a tip about the abandoned puppy and eventually discovered him on the side of the highway. According to the statement, the dog is now secure and will not be returned to Garcia.
According to NBC station WFLA in Tampa, Garcia went to the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter on Friday to claim his puppy, the highway patrol said in an affidavit. His information was given to the sheriff’s office in Leon County, where the dog was confiscated.
According to the affidavit, Garcia stated that if the dog’s foster owner would care for and love it, he would relinquish possession, WFLA reported.
Article Source: Man accused of leaving dog tied to fence ahead of Hurricane Milton is charged with animal cruelty
