- Florida's Senate unanimously passed “Trooper's Law,” which would make restraining and abandoning pets during a natural disaster a third-degree felony.
- The bill was inspired by Trooper, a dog who was abandoned tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton.
- Trooper's former owner faces aggravated animal cruelty charges and up to five years in prison.
- Trooper has since been adopted and is thriving in his new home.
- The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida urges anyone who witnesses animal abuse to call 911.
Trooper, the beloved Bull terrier that went viral last year after being abandoned on the side of Interstate 75 as category 4 Hurricane Milton neared Florida, has inspired new legislation.
Florida's Senate passed Trooper's Law (CS/SB 150), which would make restraining and abandoning pets during a natural disaster a third-degree felony, in an unanimous vote on Wednesday.
“Any person who restrains a dog outside during a natural disaster and thereafter abandons the dog commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both,' the bill reads.
The act will take effect starting Oct. 1, 2025, if passed.
Was the bull terrier tied to the fence during the hurricane?
Trooper was rescued by a Florida state trooper on the side of I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd on the morning of Oct. 9, 2024.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast around 8:30 p.m. that night.
What happened to the owner of the dog in Hurricane Milton?
Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, was identified as the owner of “Trooper,” the abandoned dog left tied to a fence standing in a pool of water amid Hurricane Milton evacuations in Florida.
Garcia was arrested on Oct.14, 2024.
The following day, State Attorney Suzy Lopez shared in a press release that Garcia was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, after admitting to leaving his dog, formerly known as “Jumbo,” on the interstate because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”
He faces up to five years in prison.
Where is ‘Trooper' the dog now?
The five-year-old Bull terrier was taken in by the Leon County Humane Society on Oct. 9.
Trooper then was placed in a foster care home with owners who had experience with his breed, according to the Leon County Humane Society.
In December, Trooper was adopted by Frank and Carla Spina and now lives with new friend Dallas, a seven-year-old mini Bull terrier, in Parkland.
Trooper, the abandoned Florida dog, faced multiple health scares
Trooper's new family supported him as he underwent successful surgery to remove cancerous tumors.
X-rays also found foreign substances inside his stomach. Trooper had about two pounds of rubber and plastic removed, according to specialist veterinary surgeon Randy Dominguez.
In a Feb. 19 meeting, Trooper was recognized by the Parkland town council and Mayor Rich Walker.
How to report animal abuse and animal cruelty
The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida urges you to call 911 if you witness an animal in a life-threatening situation. It is a crime to abuse or cruelly kill an animal, or to confine an animal without sufficient food, water or exercise in Florida.
To report the abuse of wild animals such as illegal hunting or fishing, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (888) 404-3922 or report the incident online.
Contributing: Kyla A Sanford, Tallahassee, Gabriel Velasquez Neira and Ella Thompson, FRESH TAKE FLORIDA
