Giovanny Aldama Garcia, a 23-year-old man from Ruskin, Florida, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty for allegedly tying his dog to a fence and abandoning it as Hurricane Milton approached the state. Garcia admitted to leaving his dog on the highway as he evacuated the state, and State Attorney Suzy Lopez is pursuing felony charges against him. If convicted, Garcia could face up to five years in prison for his actions. The dog, now known as Trooper, was found by Florida Highway Patrol officers in flood waters up to his chest on Interstate-75. Trooper was taken to the vet and determined to be safe and healthy. Garcia had attempted to claim the dog at the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter, but the dog will not be returned to him. Lopez believes that the penalties for animal cruelty during a state of emergency should be harsher and hopes lawmakers will consider changing the law in light of this case. The investigation is ongoing, and Garcia has been released on bond. Calls to Garcia and his parents for comment were unreturned, and the case has gained public attention, with authorities praising the efforts to rescue and protect Trooper.
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