Dog tied to fence in hurricane: Owner faces hefty fine
Tamba - Hundreds of thousands of people fled Hurricane Milton in the United States around a week ago. The natural disaster almost proved fatal for one four-legged friend when the dog was tied to a fence near the town of Tamba and left behind. At the last moment, a police officer rushed to the rescue. The owner of the animal is now under criminal investigation.
The pet was tied to the side of the road near the Florida State Highway and was already up to its belly in rising water when it was freed by a police officer.
As Tallahasee Democrat reports, Hillsborough County State's Attorney Suzy Lopez made it clear that charges will be filed against the dog's owner, identified as Giovanny Aldama Garcia.
"We take animal cruelty very, very seriously," the lawyer made clear, without explaining how the animal abuser was tracked down.
The man now faces up to five years in prison for a third-degree felony.
People in the USA are very concerned about the fate of the dog.
Animal rights activists ask to refrain from adoption requests for dog "Trooper"
The furry friend has been christened "Trooper" and is currently in the best of hands at the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahasee.
In their latest post, the animal rights activists clarify that Trooper will find shelter with a foster family. If that turns out to be the ideal new home, the family will have first dibs on adoption.
Otherwise, a new forever home will be sought.
At the moment, however, the organization is asking people to refrain from making adoption inquiries because the bull terrier still seems very "stressed" and is in the process of "releasing the pressure" inside him - understandable given the traumatic experience the velvet paw has endured.