TAMPA, Fla. — Law enforcement officials have found the owner of a dog seen in a viral video tied to a pole before Hurricane Milton made landfall.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty after he admitted to leaving his dog on the side of the road, according to State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Florida State Highway Patrol troopers found the dog near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and I-75 hours before the storm hit.
According to the State Attorney's Office, Garcia said he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane but left “Jumbo” behind because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.
After a tip, Trooper Orlando Morales found the dog as water was rising to the animal’s neck
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously," Lopez said. "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. Hopefully, lawmakers 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."
As for the dog, he is OK and is being taken care of at the Leon County Humane Society.
Workers there have named him "Trooper" and say people have asked about adopting him, but they are not releasing him at this time.
On Facebook, the society said: "We have already received dozens of inquiries, and we understand he is a special and famous dog, but he needs time to decompress in foster so that we can match him with the best fit possible so that he has the best transition into his forever home."