The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which oversees the Florida Highway Patrol , released a statement regarding the arrest of a man who allegedly left his dog tied to a fence in rising waters off Interstate 75 as Hurricane Milton approached Florida.
“On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, a dog, now known as Trooper, was found abandoned in flood waters up to his chest on Interstate-75 in Tampa while many residents were evacuating before Hurricane Milton. Based upon a subsequent criminal investigation, State Troopers secured and executed a felony arrest warrant yesterday on Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, of Ruskin, Florida, for aggravated animal cruelty. 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.
“On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, a dog, now known as Trooper, was found abandoned in flood waters up to his chest on Interstate-75 in Tampa while many residents were evacuating before Hurricane Milton.
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) October 15, 2024
Based upon a subsequent criminal investigation, State Troopers secured and… pic.twitter.com/br0jHNXeVY
