Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that a man who left his dog behind during Hurricane Milton has been arrested and will be charged with animal cruelty. The dog, now called “Trooper,” was found by a Florida Highway Patrol officer, tied to a fence and standing in floodwater along Interstate 75.
Trooper was left behind as his owner, Giovanny Garcia, fled from the storm. He admitted to authorities that he couldn’t find anyone to take care of the dog, so he tied him up and left. A video of the dog’s rescue, taken by Trooper Orlando Morales, quickly spread online, causing outrage and calls for the owner to be punished.
At a press conference, Governor DeSantis expressed anger over the situation. “This is totally unacceptable, and we’re going to hold you accountable,” he said. Garcia is now facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty, which could result in up to five years in prison.
Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez, who is leading the case, said, “We take animal cruelty very seriously. In this county, we protect the elderly, children, and our pets. What this man did will not go unpunished.”
Hurricane Milton forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate, including Garcia. However, he chose to leave Trooper, who was originally named Jumbo, behind. Trooper’s story gained attention after the rescue video was posted online, with many people expressing heartbreak and anger over the dog being abandoned.
Trooper, a Bull terrier, is now safe and being cared for by the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee. While Trooper has a foster home with likely dibs on keeping him, many other animals are in need of homes.
Governor DeSantis made it clear that this case should be a warning to others about abandoning pets during emergencies. “We said you’d be held accountable, and you will be held accountable,” he stated.
The Leon County Humane Society, which is taking care of Trooper, is a non-profit organization that helps rescue and rehabilitate animals. They work to find homes for animals in need and educate the community about responsible pet ownership. They hope Trooper’s story will inspire others to support their local animal shelters. While Trooper’s case is ongoing, he is safe and on the path to finding a permanent, loving home.
If you want to help animals like Trooper, consider visiting your local shelter or rescue organization to see how you can support them. Many animals are waiting for someone to give them a second chance, just like Trooper. You can visit the Leon County Human Society Here.
