Charges Dropped in Case of Dog Abandoned During Hurricane Milton
Charges have been dropped against Giovanny Aldama Garcia, the Ruskin man accused of leaving his dog tied up during Hurricane Milton. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office filed a nolle prosequi, ending the case after determining there wasn’t enough evidence to prove Garcia intentionally left the dog in danger. “We did not have sufficient evidence to prove that the defendant intentionally tied the dog to the fence in rising flood waters,” prosecutors said, adding that they couldn’t meet the burden of proof for aggravated animal cruelty.
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Despite the decision, the case sparked meaningful change. Trooper — the dog rescued from rising floodwaters off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard — has since been adopted into a loving home in Parkland, Florida. His story also inspired “Trooper’s Law,” which now makes it a third-degree felony to abandon a restrained pet during a natural disaster. Offenders can face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine…