The merciless Florida canine proprietor who left his pooch tied to a fence in flood waters on the facet of a freeway as Hurricane Milton barrelled down on the Sunshine State final week has been caught.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested Monday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.
Garcia admitted to leaving the canine, a white Bull Terrier on Interstate 75 as he raced in direction of Georgia forward of the storm.
The 23-year-old instructed officers he left his canine “Jumbo” as a result of he “couldn’t discover anybody to select the canine up,” in keeping with Hillsborough County State Lawyer Suzy Lopez.
Lopez blasted Garcia’s actions and requested for politicians to assist change the present legal guidelines in place.
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very severely. This defendant is charged with a felony and will withstand 5 years in jail for his actions,” Lopez mentioned. “Fairly frankly, I don’t assume that’s sufficient. Hopefully, lawmakers check out this case and focus on altering the legislation to permit for harsher penalties for individuals who abandon their animals throughout a state of emergency.”
A driver flagged down Florida Freeway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales who “diligently searched” for the canine.
Morales, drove a quarter-mile south and used a conveyable speaker calling for the canine.
When the canine was ultimately discovered, the trembling canine growled and barked at Morales.
“I don’t blame you,” the trooper in keeping with the Tampa Bay Occasions.
Morales parked his patrol automobile and trudged throughout a soggy area subsequent to Interstate 75, rescuing the terrified animal because the water had risen previous the canine’s legs.
The pooch was dropped at a vet, the place he was examined for accidents and acquired a clear invoice of well being.
The Leon County Humane Society stepped in to get the Bull Terrier to a foster house in Tallahassee and named him Trooper on account of “how a lot he’s been via and to honor those that saved him” from the catastrophic storm.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis referred to as out the “unacceptable” actions by Garcia as he evacuated the storm’s eye.
“When this poor canine was left on the market,” DeSantis mentioned, “We mentioned … we’re going to nail you after we discover out who did it. And that’s precisely what they’re doing right here in Hillsborough County with State Lawyer Lopez.”
“You don’t simply tie up a canine and have them on the market for a storm. Completely unacceptable, and we’re going to carry you accountable,” DeSantis mentioned at a information convention Tuesday.
Garcia faces as much as 5 years in jail for the felony and won’t get the canine returned to him, Lopez mentioned.
He was launched from jail Tuesday on a $2,500 money bond.
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