TAMPA, Fla. – A 23-year-old man faces animal cruelty charges after being accused of tying a dog to a fence along a Florida highway ahead of Hurricane Milton, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Troopers said they obtained an arrest warrant for Giovanny Aldama Garcia of Ruskin on Monday.
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The dog, now known as “Trooper,” was found on Oct. 9 by Trooper Orlando Morales along Interstate 75 standing nearly chest-deep in water and tied to a fence post.
FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please… pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2
— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) October 9, 2024
Susan S. Lopez, State Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, posted on social media on Tuesday a photo of the dog and Trooper Morales.
“Trooper Morales is a dog lover and father of a rescue dog himself. We thank him for service to all residents - even four-legged ones,” the post reads.
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The FLHSMV and State Attorney Lopez said Garcia faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
The criminal investigation is active and ongoing, officials said.
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