TAMPA, Fla. – Charges were dropped against a pet owner accused of leaving a dog tied to a fence along Interstate 75 in Florida before Hurricane Milton struck last year, according to court records.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested in October 2024 after Florida troopers found the dog, now known as “Trooper,” standing in nearly chest-deep water and tied to the fence near Tampa.
Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez with Trooper Orlando Morales and the dog Morales rescued, now named “Trooper” (Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, 13th Judicial Circuit)
Garcia faced aggravated animal cruelty charges, but the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office later dropped them.
“During the deposition and discovery process in this case, we determined that we did not have sufficient evidence to prove that the defendant intentionally tied the dog to the fence in rising flood waters. While this case stirs many emotions and even ethical questions, we do not have a good-faith basis to continue this prosecution,” the state attorney’s office said in statement. “While it was initially reported that the dog was tied to the fence with a rope, we have insufficient evidence to support that allegation. As a result, we cannot meet our burden of proving aggravated animal cruelty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
In May of this year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law SB-150, also known as “Trooper’s Law,” that makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster or at any time in which a mandatory or voluntary evacuation order is in effect.
[WATCH BELOW: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bills increasing animal abuse penalties]
Trooper the dog was later adopted in December 2024 by couple Frank and Carla, according to the Leon County Humane Society, who were looking for a companion for their other dog, Dallas.
“The moment Trooper and Dallas’ eyes met; it was love at first sight. We thought he’d liked Frank and Carla, but when Dallas walked through the gate, we were worried Trooper’s tail wagging would helicopter him out of the backyard. They ran up to each other and pressed foreheads, tails wagging furiously,” the humane society wrote in a social media update.
Trooper and Dallas (Leon County Humane Society)Breaking News Alerts
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