TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Charges against the man accused of leaving a dog tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton have been dropped. <\/p>\n
Trooper, a bull terrier, was found tied to a fence on the side of Interstate 75 with water rising to his chest as the hurricane battered Tampa. <\/p>\n
His owner, Giovanny Garcia, was facing animal cruelty charges; however, those charges have been dropped. <\/p>\n
The State Attorney\u2019s Office in Hillsborough County said they don\u2019t have enough evidence to prove that Garcia intentionally tied Trooper up in those rising flood waters, or that he used a rope to do it. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile this case stirs many emotions and even ethical questions, we do not have a good-faith basis to continue this prosecution,\u201d a statement from the State Attorney\u2019s Office read.<\/p>\n
The statement went on to say that, although the charges have been dropped, Trooper\u2019s story and the national attention it garnered have led to change.<\/p>\n
Trooper\u2019s Law<\/a> went into effect this month and makes it a felony to abandon animals during natural disasters.<\/p>\n As for Trooper, after spending time in foster care with the Leon County Humane Society, he has a loving new family.<\/a> <\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n