The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office announced that it lacked the “good-faith basis” necessary to proceed with the legal action.
TAMPA, Fla. — Legal proceedings have been terminated for the individual accused of abandoning his dog by tying it to a fence along I-75 amidst Hurricane Milton, as indicated by court documents.
This week, the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office submitted a “Noelle Prosequi” document, simultaneously requesting the cancellation of any active warrants related to this matter.
The canine, later named “Trooper,” was discovered in waist-deep floodwaters mere hours before Hurricane Milton was anticipated to hit in October 2024. Authorities captured the rescue on video near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, which was shared publicly by troopers.
The incident sparked significant public outrage, leading to the enactment of “Trooper’s Law.” This legislation classifies the act of tethering or leaving a dog unattended during severe weather as a third-degree felony. Violators could face up to five years in prison and fines reaching $10,000.
This law was officially implemented on October 1.
Just days after Trooper was found, his owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty. During the initial investigation, court records had said that Garcia’s mother, Mabel Garcia Gomez, 53, stopped their car on I-75 during the family’s evacuation to Georgia from heavy rain, letting the dog out of the vehicle. Garcia said he last saw the dog in standing water and left it behind.
In a statement to 10 Tampa Bay News, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office acknowledged that the case stirs many emotions and “ethical questions.”
However, the statement also said, in part: “During the deposition and discovery process in this case, we determined that we did not have sufficient evidence to prove that the defendant intentionally tied the dog to the fence in rising flood waters.”
The state attorney’s office added it did not have a “good-faith basis to continue this prosecution,” and there was “insufficient evidence” to support that Trooper was tied to the fence with a rope, despite initial reports.
“As a result, we cannot meet our burden of proving aggravated animal cruelty beyond a reasonable doubt,” the state attorney’s office wrote.
Where is Trooper, the dog, now?
After nearly two months following the incident, Trooper found his forever home.
According to the Leon County Humane Society, as soon as he met his new mom and dad, Frank and Carla, it was a “perfect match.” During their first meeting, Trooper was reportedly immediately at ease.
Previous 10 Tampa Bay News reporting contributed to this article.
