TAMPA, Fla. (CNN NEWSOURCE/WKRC) – Charges against Giovanny Aldama Garcia, a Florida man accused of leaving his dog tied up before Hurricane Milton, have been dropped.
Garcia faced aggravated animal cruelty charges after admitting to leaving his dog on the side of the road. However, prosecutors said they could not prove he intentionally tied the dog to the fence in rising floodwaters, leading to the dismissal of charges due to insufficient evidence.
The dog, now named “Trooper,” was later adopted by a new family.
This case prompted the enactment of a state law making it a felony to restrain or abandon a dog during a declared disaster or evacuation.