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Cruel owner who tied dog to fence in Hurricane Milton evacuation says he did it because he ‘couldn’t find anyone’ to pick the terrier up

By
Nicholas McEntyre
Published Oct. 16, 2024
Updated Oct. 16, 2024, 9:17 a.m. ET

The cruel Florida dog owner who left his pooch tied to a fence in floodwaters on the siꦡde of a highway as Hurricane Milton barreled down on the Sunshine State last week has been caught.

Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested Monday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.

Garcia admitted leaving the canine, a white bull terrie♏r, on Inter𓄧state 75 as he raced toward Georgia ahead of the storm.

"Jumbo" a white Bull Terrier was rescued by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper near I-75 last week ahead of Hurricane Milton.
Jumbo, a white bull terrier, was rescued by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper near I-75 last week ahead of Hurricane Milton. FHP Tampa

The 23-year-old told officials he left his dog, Jumbo, because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up,” according to Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Lopez blasted Garcia’s actions and asked for politicians to help change the current laws.

“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,” Lopez said. “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.”

A driver flagged down Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales, who “diligently searched” for the dog.

Morales drove a quart🅠er-mile s𝓡outh and used a portable speaker to call for the dog.

Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested and charged with third degree felony aggravated animal cruelty.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested and charged with third-degree felony aggravated animal cruelty. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

When the canine was eventually fꦑound, the trembling dog growled and barked at Morales.

“I don’t blame you,” the trooper told him, ꦜaccording to the

Morales parked his patrol vehicle and trudged across a soggy field next to Interstate 75, rescuing the terrified animal from the water, which had risen past the dog’s legs.

The pooch was brought to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bil🔴l of health.

The Leon County Humane Society stepped in to get the bull terrier to a foster home in Tallahassee and named him Trooper due to “how much he’s been through a🦩nd to honor those who save💟d him” from the catastrophic storm.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called out the “unacceptable” actions by Garcia as he evacuated the storm’s eye.

Morales parked his patrol vehicle and trudged across a soggy field next to Interstate 75, rescuing the terrified animal as the water had risen past the dog's legs.
Morales parked his patrol vehicle and trudged across a soggy field next to Interstate 75, rescuing the terrified animal from the water, which had risen past the dog’s legs. FLHSMV/X

“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.”

“You don’t just tie up a dog and𓂃 have them out there for a storm. Totally unacceptable, and we’re going to hold you accountable,” DeSantis said at a news conference Tuesday.

The pooch was brought to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health before being brought to Tallahassee and renamed "Trooper."
The pooch was brought to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health before being brought to Tallahassee and renamed Trooper. Leon County Humane Society/Facebook

Garcia faces up to five years in prison for the felony and wil𓆉l not get the dog returned to him, Lopez said.

H🤡e was released from jail Tuesday on a $2,500 cash bওond.