Florida Man Arrested for Abandoning Dog in Floodwaters Ahead of Hurricane Milton

 

Authorities in Florida have arrested Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, for abandoning his dog in floodwaters as Hurricane Milton approached. Garcia, a resident of Ruskin, Florida, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty after leaving his dog tied to a post on the side of Interstate 75 in Tampa, with rising floodwaters threatening the animal’s life.

Florida state troopers discovered the dog last week, submerged in water up to its chest. The Florida Highway Patrol released bodycam footage of the incident, warning pet owners with a caption: "Do NOT do this to your pets please..." The dog, previously named Jumbo, has since been renamed Trooper by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

At a news conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the situation, confirming that Trooper is currently in Tallahassee and will soon be adopted. "The dog was very shaken from the ordeal," DeSantis said. "We made it clear then that abandoning a pet in such conditions is completely unacceptable, and we will hold the owner accountable."

According to jail records, Aldama Garcia was arrested on Monday and later released on a $2,500 bond. It remains unclear when he will appear in court. Prosecutors say Garcia admitted to leaving the dog behind as he fled to Georgia ahead of the hurricane, claiming he couldn’t find anyone to take care of the animal.

The dog was saved thanks to a tip from a passing motorist, and State Trooper Orlando Morales responded just in time, finding the water had risen to the dog's neck. Days later, Garcia reportedly visited a local shelter to retrieve the dog, providing photos as proof of ownership. However, he ultimately agreed to surrender the dog after learning it had been moved to another shelter.

Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez, whose office is handling the case, emphasized the seriousness of animal cruelty. "This defendant faces a felony charge that could result in up to five years in prison. In my opinion, that’s not enough. Lawmakers should consider harsher penalties for abandoning animals, especially during emergencies."

Lopez also commended Trooper Morales, noting his dedication to rescuing animals. "Thank you for your commitment to protecting all residents, including our four-legged friends," she said.