Former owner of ‘Trooper,’ dog rescued amid Hurricane Milton, facing animal cruelty charges

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Millions of people have become familiar with “Trooper” the dog who received national attention after being rescued by Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales. The bull terrier was found tied to a fence with water rising to his chest as Hurricane Milton bore down on Tampa.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Trooper’s former owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, will be charged with aggravated animal cruelty charges for abandoning his dog as he fled to safety before Milton.

“We said you’d be held accountable and you will be held accountable,” the governor said.

Garcia said he left his dog “Jumbo” tied to the side of Interstate 75 because “he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up,” according to a press release from the Office of the State Attorney.

State Attorney Susan Lopez covers the region where Trooper was rescued. She said the charges Garcia faces carry up to 5 years in prison.

“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,” Lopez said.

Lopez also commended Trooper Morales for rescuing the dog before the hurricane made landfall and said her office is taking this case seriously.

“We should be protecting our pets during a storm not leaving them for dead,” Lopez said. “The fact that someone could just leave a defenseless animal tied to a pole on the interstate as we were facing a Category 5 hurricane is impossible for me to imagine.”

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As for Trooper, he is currently decompressing and enjoying the spotlight in a Leon County Humane Society foster home.

The humane society posted on Facebook Tuesday night, addressing the charges brought upon Trooper’s former owner.

“Our job is to find Trooper and other animals in our program the best home possible for them. We will update if any information becomes available to share. We trust law enforcement to handle that side of Trooper’s story,” They posted.

The non-profit also said they hope Trooper’s story can inspire people to adopt and visit local rescues.

“We stress that there are thousands of dogs who deserve this same level of attention, care, and advocacy, and hope that Trooper’s situation inspires a kinder future for all dogs,” they wrote. “There could be a dog right up the road who needs you, and Trooper is more than willing to take credit for bringing you together.

While the humane society is not yet accepting adoption inquiries about Trooper, people who want to support him and other rescue dogs can donate to the organization on their website.

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