Giovanny Aldama García, the owner of the dog found abandoned and tied to a post along Interstate 75 in Tampa, has been arrested and is facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty. This incident took place during evacuations ahead of Hurricane Milton, when Aldama left the animal in perilous conditions as he fled to Georgia for safety.
State attorney Suzy López filed charges after Aldama confessed to completely abandoning his dog, named "Jumbo," because he couldn't find anyone to care for it, according to MySuncoast.com, a site associated with WWSB television. The dog was discovered by highway patrol officer Orlando Morales, who responded to a call from a driver reporting the sighting of the animal on the roadway. Morales quickly located the dog as the water levels rose due to the storm.
The dog, now renamed "Trooper" in honor of the officers who rescued him, is safe and undergoing rehabilitation at an animal shelter in Tallahassee. He will not be returned to his previous owner.
Call for Stricter Penalties
"In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty offenses very seriously," stated attorney López. "This defendant could face up to five years in prison for his actions. However, I believe this case should prompt lawmakers to consider harsher penalties for emergency situations like this one."
The case has sparked outrage on social media, with users criticizing the owner's lack of empathy towards the animal, especially during a natural disaster. The public outcry underscores the need for a more compassionate approach to animal welfare in crisis situations.