Giovanny Aldama García, owner of the dog that was found abandoned and tied to a post on Interstate 75 in Tampa, was arrested and faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
The incident occurred during the evacuations prior to Hurricane Milton's arrival, when Aldama left the animal in dangerous conditions while fleeing to Georgia to seek safety.
The state prosecutor, Suzy López, presented the charges after the defendant admitted to completely abandoning his dog, named “Jumbo,” because he had not found anyone who could take care of it, according to the MySuncoast.com website of the WWSB television station.
The canine was found by Highway Patrol officer, Orlando Morales, who responded to a call from a driver who reported seeing the animal on the road. He quickly managed to locate it as the water level was rising due to the storm.
The dog, renamed "Trooper" in honor of the officers who rescued him, is safe at an animal shelter in Tallahassee, where he is undergoing rehabilitation and will not be returned to his owner.
"In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously," said Prosecutor López.
"This defendant could face up to five years in prison for his actions. However, I believe this case should be a wake-up call for lawmakers to consider harsher penalties in emergency situations like this."
After coming to light, the case has generated outrage on social media, where users question the owner's lack of empathy towards the animal, especially amidst a natural disaster.
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