Authorities in Florida have arrested a man who left his terrified bull terrier tied to a fence by the road while fleeing the incoming Hurricane Milton, British newspaper The Mirror’s American online edition reported. According to the report, Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty. The charge carries a possible five-year jail term and a fine of up to $5,000. By contrast, The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, in India carries a grand penalty of up to three months in prison and a fine of up to Rs100 for a repeat offender.
Garcia, 23, reportedly admitted to leaving the petrified dog, Jumbo, tied up on Interstate 75 while he raced to the state of Georgia to shelter from the storm. According to Garcia, he did so because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up”. The dog was later rescued by officers of the Florida Highway Patrol.
Lopez condemned the man’s actions, The Mirror US reported and called on politicians to help make current laws stricter. “In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously,” she said. “This defendant is charged with a felony and could face up to five years in prison for his actions. Quite frankly, I don’t think that is enough.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also slammed Garcia’s actions. “When this poor dog was left out there,” DeSantis reportedly said during a news conference, “we said … we’re going to nail you when we find out who did it. And that’s exactly what they’re doing here in Hillsborough County.”
Footage of the dog’s rescue went viral on social media. The footage had officers of the highway patrol attempting to soothe the bull terrier, which was standing in a puddle of water. The Leon County Humane Society later took custody of the dog and renamed him Trooper due to “how much he’s been through and to honour those who saved him”.
