Owner of dog found chained to fence hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall arrested; faces animal cruelty charges – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

(WSVN) – The owner of a dog who authorities say abandoned him hours before Hurricane Milton hit is now facing animal cruelty charges.

On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said authorities had identified the owner of the Trooper dog.

Bodycam video captured the Florida Highway Patrol discovering the dog tied to a fence and standing in a deep puddle near I-75 near Tampa.

He was taken to the Leon County Humane Society and given a clean bill of health. Once there, he was named a Trooper, to signify the harrowing experience he endured and in thanks to the FHP soldiers who rescued him.

Trooper was about 100 miles from where the hurricane would make landfall that evening.

The video went viral on the internet, sparking a firestorm among residents and law enforcement demanding justice. The authorities at the time promised to find the owner. Nearly a week later, they found him.

“But we said at the time, ‘You don’t just tie up a dog and send him out there for a storm.’ Totally unacceptable and we will hold you accountable Well, I am proud to announce that authorities have identified the dog’s former owners and State Attorney Susie Lopez is now filing animal cruelty charges against them. individuals,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

Officials said Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, allegedly showed up at the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter showing photos of Trooper to claim ownership.

The shelter alerted authorities, who then took Garcia into custody.

“The fact that someone could just leave this helpless animal tied to a pole on the highway while we were dealing with a Category 5 hurricane is absolutely impossible for me as a dog owner and dog lover, like are many members of our community. Impossible for me to imagine,” said Hillsborough County District Attorney Susan Lopez.

Governor DeSantis said Trooper is now in Tallahassee and will soon be put up for adoption.

Meanwhile, Garcia faces a charge of animal cruelty, which is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

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