Owner tied ‘trembling’ dog to fence in rising waters of Hurricane Milton because he ‘couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up’: Cops

Giovanni Aldama Garcia mugshot and Trooper

Left: Giovanni Aldama Garcia (Hillsborough County Jail). Right: Trooper AKA Jumbo who was allegedly tied to fence ahead of Hurricane Milton (Florida Highway Patrol).

Florida cops filed charges against the owner of the dog whose pleading face went viral after officials found the poor pup tied to a fence along a Tampa highway “in severe distress and trembling” as the rising waters from Hurricane Milton reached his neck.

Giovanni Aldama Garcia, 23, is facing a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. The video posted by Florida Highway Patrol went viral as people responded to the decision to leave a dog on the side of the road as a hurricane descended upon the Sunshine State.

On Tuesday, Hillsborough County Prosecutor Suzy Lopez announced Aldama Garcia’s arrest. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

More from Law&Crime: Pet day care worker who apparently ‘forgot’ about 2 dogs outside for ‘potty break,’ let them collapse in Florida heat, and then clocked out is arrested months after allegedly spitting on cop

“Quite frankly, I don’t think that is enough. Hopefully, lawmakers take a look at this case and discuss changing the law to allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon their animals during a state of emergency,” she said in a statement.

A woman driving north on I-75 near mile marker 270 in the Tampa area around 8:45 a.m. Oct. 9 spotted the dog tied to a post near the shoulder and called FHP, a probable cause arrest affidavit said. A trooper responded and found the dog.

“The dog was standing water up to his chest and neck area, appearing to be in severe distress and trembling,” the trooper wrote.

He noted that there were fresh tire marks nearby. The trooper took the dog to an animal shelter for treatment.

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