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‘Trooper,’ dog found by FHP, on the mend; fundraiser raises money for rescue animals

“Trooper Sent Me” T-shirt profits go to rescue shelter

Dog found on the side of a Florida highway during Hurricane Milton evacuations is now in foster care. (Courtesy: Leon County Humane Society)

LEON COUNTY, Fla. – As “Trooper” the dog found by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper during Hurricane Milton evacuations earlier this month adjusts to his foster home, fundraising efforts to help him and dogs like him are in the works.

The Leon County Humane Society launched the fundraising effort over the weekend. So far, the group has raised more than $1,000.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Trooper’s owner was identified and arrested in mid-October and will face aggravated animal cruelty charges, which is a third-degree felony.

“It’s totally unacceptable, and we are going to hold you accountable,” said DeSantis.

Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, of Ruskin, Florida was arrested on Oct. 14.

Garcia could face up to five years in prison.

Florida man faces charges of animal cruelty for allegedly abandoning his dog "Trooper" on a Florida highway during Hurricane Milton evacuations. (Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)

The Leon County Humane Society took Trooper in and later received a call from the governor’s office and was picked up, according to a post on social media.

Trooper was found in belly-high water, abandoned along Interstate 75, near Pebble Creek, north of Tampa, during evacuations for Hurricane Milton.

Trooper is not up for adoption yet. For more information about helping dogs like Trooper, visit www.leoncountyhumane.org/donate.

For more information about Trooper’s fundraiser, click on this link.


About the Author
Veronica Crespo headshot

Veronica Crespo writes for Local10.com and also oversees the Español section of the website. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism and Spanish.

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