Dog Abandoned and Tethered to Fence during Evacuation for Hurricane Milton ~ Pawsitively Humane, Inc.

A white bull terrier dog abandoned and tied to fence off highway
in Tampa, Florida before Hurricane Milton reached the area

Updated: November 22, 2024

It was a horrifying site: a dog abandoned by the side of a highway in Tampa Florida; worse, he was tied to a fence; worse, he had to remain standing as water was rising and reached his belly.

How long had the poor dog been there? How scared he must have been not knowing what was happening, in a strange place, no owner and the rain increasing. Hurricane Milton was on the way.

A woman had seen the dog at a distance and called police the morning of October 9 (Hurricane Milton reached land later that night). Upon arriving at the scene, Florida Highway Patrol trooper Orlando Morales recorded a video and it went viral on social media. Outrage poured in from residents, animal lovers, people around the country. (The video now has 12.7 million views as of Nov 22, 2024).

Who would do such a thing? The answer to that burning question coming up.

Rescued dog seems relieved in back seat of
Officer's car

Amid the storm’s ensuing devastation, there came calls for justice for the dog, appropriately renamed Trooper. The news reached Florida Governor DeSantis' office and the video was reposted. The Governor stated anyone who mistreats pets would be held accountable.

On Thursday Oct 10, Leon County Humane Society (Tallahassee) announced that their dog coordinator got a call from the governor's office about Trooper and picked him up. According to the rescue organization, the dog was not microchipped.

"We can't imagine the situation that ended with him tied to this pole and left him without any hope," the humane society said. "It's hard even to think about how scared he must have been as cars raced by, the water rose to his belly, and the storm clouds darkened."

The organization described the dog as "incredibly stressed and still decompressing" but "smiled" on a few occasions. He was fittingly named "Trooper".

Abandoned dog named "Trooper", decompressing at
Leon County Humane Society

Since announcing that Trooper was in their care, the rescue group said they have received dozens of inquiries about adoption. But as for now, their main focus is to help the dog feel safe and comfortable in his new environment.

Who, Why Would Anyone Do This? The Culprit Came Forward

Jumbo now renamed Trooper, relaxing at shelter

Two days later (Oct 11), Giovanny Aldama Garcia showed up at an animal shelter in Hillsborough County, telling them he was the dog’s owner and showing photos. He said he would give up the dog if its new owner could love and care for it. The shelter reported alerted authorities who later took Aldama Garcia into custody October 15, 2024.

Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23 years old

Map of where dog was abandoned on northbound lane while heading north
to evacuate. Owner returned to his home in Ruskin after the hurricane.

Aldama Garcia said the dog’s name was Jumbo. He had Jumbo since he was a puppy but could not take care of him. He tried unsuccessfully to get rid of him.

He was with his mother, who drove along the interstate during the mass evacuations that preceded Hurricane Milton’s arrival, the report states. She pulled over and let the dog out of the car.

He described seeing the dog standing in water amid heavy rain and leaving it behind, according to the arrest report. The report does not detail how the dog ended up tied to the fence.

He later saw the social media posts about the dog’s rescue and returned to Ruskin to try to claim it.

Aldama Garcia was released when posting bond of $2,500 but still faces an animal cruelty charge, which is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.