TAMPA, Fla. — A man is facing an aggravated animal cruelty charge after he admitted to leaving his dog tied to a fence on I-75 as he evacuated before Hurricane Milton, the state attorney's office announced.
On Tuesday, representatives for State Attorney Suzy Lopez identified the dog's owner as 23-year-old Giovanny Garcia of Ruskin.
Investigators say Garcia told them that he left his dog, formerly named "Jumbo," on the side of the road because he couldn't find anyone to pick the dog up.
The state attorney's office says Trooper Orlando Morales received a tip from a driver around 8:45 a.m. on Oct. 9 about the dog on the side of I-75, just south of Bruce B Downs Boulevard. Morales found the dog as water was rising up around the animal's neck.
"As I continued calling for the dog through my portable speaker, I saw the dog's head pop up and then back down," Morales' report reads. "The dog was standing in water up to his chest and neck area, appearing to be in severe distress and trembling."
On Monday, state troopers executed a felony arrest warrant on Garcia.
The dog, now named "Trooper," is safe.
"Our agency is grateful for the unprecedented support of State Attorney Suzy Lopez and her prosecutors, particularly during a state of emergency. The criminal investigation is active and ongoing and additional information is unavailable at this time,” Dave Kerner, Executive Director of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said.
Just before 1 p.m. on Oct. 11, the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter contacted Trooper Morales, claiming that Garcia had visited the facility with photos of the dog in an attempt to prove his ownership and retrieve the animal.
Garcia was then contacted by the Leon County Animal Shelter, which is currently in possession of the dog.
Garcia told the shelter that, "if the current foster will take good care and love the dog, he will surrender ownership," Morales' report says.
“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously. This defendant is charged with a felony and could face up to five years in prison for his actions. Quite frankly, I don’t think that is enough. Hopefully, lawmakers take a look at this case and discuss changing the law to allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon their animals during a state of emergency,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement.
Leon County Humane Society staff say they renamed the dog, "Trooper" for "how much he's been through" and "to honor those who saved him." They plan to use his experience to educate people on animal cruelty and abandonment.
"We can't imagine the situation that ended with him tied to this pole and left him without any hope," staff said. "It's hard even to think about how scared he must have been as cars raced by, the water rose to his belly, and the storm clouds darkened."
The shelter mentioned that they are currently not taking any inquiries about adopting Trooper but will provide an update "when he's ready."
Anyone interested in donating to Leon County Humane Society can visit the shelter's website.