Oct 163 min read

GIOVANNY ALDAMA GARCIA arrested for abandoning dog tied to a post during Hurricane Milton evacuation

- Florida, USA -

The lowlife who abandoned his dog tied to a post as he evacuated to safety during Hurricane Milton has been identified, arrested, and charged.

23-year-old GIOVANNY ALDAMA GARCIA (pictured) was arrested on October 14, 2024, and Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a press release that he has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty.

According to the press release, ALDAMA GARCIA admitted to leaving his dog, a white Bull Terrier named Jumbo, on Interstate 75 in Tampa during the evacuation. He told investigators he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane but left Jumbo “on the side of the road because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”

Jumbo was found and rescued on October 9, 2024, after a driver flagged down Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales who “diligently searched until he saw the dog tied up”, stated the release. Trooper Morales trudged across a soggy field to rescue the Innocent Soul.

Bodycam video posted on X by FHP Tampa showed Trooper Morales approaching Jumbo who was partially submerged in a grassy water pool with his neck tethered to a wire fence. As Trooper Morales approaches Jumbo he tries to reassure him as Jumbo is trembling and understandably terrified and confused. He growls and barks at Trooper Morales who keeps saying: “It’s ok buddy, it’s ok. I don’t blame you. It’s ok.”

Jumbo, now renamed Trooper, is safe and despite social media rumors and speculation, he will NOT be returned to the scum who heartlessly abandoned him!

“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously. 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. 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,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Trooper was taken to the vet and was given a clean bill of health. Trooper was first taken to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center and is currently in a foster home in Tallahassee

The Leon County Humane Society said in a Facebook post: “Trooper is in foster care with a wonderful family who has breed experience. In this home he will continue to decompress and enjoy all the good things in life. His foster parents will learn more about him and have his best interests at heart. Fosters have first opportunity to adopt, but if they find that their household isn’t ideal for Trooper, we’ll start looking for the perfect fit based on his foster’s recommendations. We ask that you respect the privacy of our foster families.”

Online arrest records show that ALDAMA GARCIA was released from the Hillsborough County Jail on October 15, 2024, after posting a $2,500 cash bond.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available. In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

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ALDAMA GARCIA’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office