[WATCH] Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Gives Update On Abandoned Dog Found Ahead Of Hurricane Milton

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an arrest was made after video footage of an abandoned dog tied to a pole on the interstate ahead of Hurricane Milton went viral.

“FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please,” FHP Tampa said last week.

WATCH:

FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please… pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2

— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) October 9, 2024

“We had somebody decide as Hurricane Milton approached that it would somehow be a good thing to take his dog and chain it to a post on the interstate,” DeSantis said during a press conference at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

“The dog’s now in Tallahassee. It will be adopted, renamed Trooper,” he continued.

“We said at the time you don’t just tie up a dog and have them out there for a storm. Totally unacceptable, and we’re going to hold you accountable,” DeSantis said.

“I’m proud to announce that the authorities have identified the dog’s former owner, and State Attorney Suzy Lopez is now pursuing animal cruelty charges against the individual,” he added.

WATCH:

#BREAKING: The Florida man who abandoned and chained his dog to a fence just prior to Hurricane Milton has been ARRESTED, Gov. Ron DeSantis says

GREAT news!

A video of the dog, now named Trooper, went viral last week, and he’s now been adopted.

The man was charged with… pic.twitter.com/eznhe6NqZb

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 15, 2024

“State Attorney Suzy Lopez has charged Giovanny Aldama Garcia with aggravated animal cruelty after he admitted to leaving his dog on Interstate 75 as he evacuated to safety during Hurricane Milton. The defendant told investigators he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane but left his dog ‘Jumbo’ on the side of the road because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up,” Lopez’s office said in a release.

From The Hill:

The story about Trooper made national headlines and sparked concern among pet-lovers and animal rights advocates alike.

The Leon County Human Society later confirmed the dog was safe at its facility after the FHP rescue.

ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES: The owner of a dog who was found abandoned ahead of Hurricane Milton is charged with aggravated animal cruelty, the State Attorney’s Office said. STORY: https://t.co/52hHB7BESd pic.twitter.com/eGf1LZ2HBV

— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) October 15, 2024

The Tampa Bay Times reports:

Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, was booked in jail Monday on a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals.

DeSantis mentioned the arrest almost in passing during a news conference in which he exchanged words of praise with local law enforcement officials and discussed efforts to financially support first responders affected by the storm. Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez stood with him.

“When this poor dog was left out there,” DeSantis said, “We said … we’re going to nail you when we find out who did it. And that’s exactly what they’re doing here in Hillsborough County with State Attorney Lopez.”

Lopez, who owns two bulldogs — one of whom she named Rhonda Santis in honor of the governor — promised stiff consequences.

“You don’t get away with doing what this man did in Hillsborough County,” she said. “Not under my watch.”

Aldama Garcia, 23, was released from jail early Tuesday on a $2,500 cash bond.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

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