The merciless Florida canine proprietor who deserted his canine tied to a fence in floods on the facet of a freeway as Hurricane Milton bore down on the Sunshine State final week was captured.
Giovanni Aldama Garcia was arrested on Monday and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony of the third diploma.
Garcia admitted he left the canine, a white bull terrier, on Interstate 75 whereas dashing towards Georgia forward of the storm.
The 23-year-old advised officers he left his canine, Jumbo, as a result of he “could not discover anybody to take the canine,” in keeping with Hillsborough County State’s Legal professional Susie Lopez.
Lopez criticized Garcia’s actions and requested politicians to assist change the present legal guidelines.
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very significantly. This defendant is charged with a felony and will obtain as much as 5 years in jail for his actions,” Lopez stated. “Truthfully, I do not suppose that is sufficient. Hopefully legislators will look into this case and talk about altering the regulation to permit for more durable penalties for individuals who abandon their animals throughout an emergency.
A driver noticed Florida Freeway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales “looking out diligently” for the canine.
Morales, walked 1 / 4 of a mile south and used a conveyable speaker to name the canine.
When the canine was finally discovered, the trembling canine growled and barked at Morales.
“I do not blame you,” stated the soldier Tampa Bay Times.
Morales parked his squad automobile and waded by means of a moist discipline to Interstate 75, rescuing the terrified animal as water rose previous the canine’s legs.
The canine was taken to a vet the place he was examined for accidents and given a clear invoice of well being.
The Leon County Humane Society stepped in to get the bull terrier right into a foster residence in Tallahassee and named it Trooper due to “how a lot he had been by means of and to honor those that saved him” from the catastrophic storm.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis referred to as Garcia’s actions “unacceptable” as he evacuated the attention of the storm.
“When that poor canine was left there,” DeSantis stated, “we stated … we’ll lock you up once we discover out who did it. And that’s precisely what they’re doing right here in Hillsborough County with State’s Legal professional Lopez.
“You do not simply tie up a canine and go away it on the market for a storm. Completely unacceptable and we’ll maintain you accountable,” DeSantis stated at a information convention Tuesday.
Garcia faces as much as 5 years in jail for the crime and won’t have the canine returned to him, Lopez stated.
He was launched from jail Tuesday on $2,500 money bail.
