Owner of dog found tied to pole during Hurricane Milton defends cruel decision after heartbreaking footage went viral

Hurricane Milton left many Florida residents fleeing their homes as flood waters rose and dangerously powerful winds ripped through the sunshine state.

But not everyone was left with a choice, as heartbreaking footage showed:

As people fled, there was one little fella who had tragically been left behind, with a clip showing a dog tied to a fence as water rippled at his belly.

Posting the video of the animal stranded along I-75, a major north-south interstate highway, Florida Highway Patrol urged pet owners not to follow suit.

“FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning,” the law enforcement agency said.

“Do NOT do this to your pets please…”

The dog was left stranded on the interstate (X/Florida Highway Patrol)

The dog was thankfully rescued and taken to a vet for medical care, with the official X account for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) saying: “Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health.”

Officials have also tracked down the owner, who now faces prison after being arrested on Monday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.

Owner Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, admitted to leaving the white bull terrier, named Jumbo, on the busy interstate as he raced towards Georgia to get ahead of the storm.

Giovanny Aldama Garcia (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)

According to Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez, he claimed to officials that he left Jumbo because he ‘couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up’.

Lopez said: “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.”

Thankfully, the dog was rescued and taken to the vet (X/Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also slammed Garcia’s ‘unacceptable’ actions, saying at a news conference earlier this week: “When this poor dog was left out there, we said … we’re going to nail you when we find out who did it. And that’s exactly what they’re doing here in Hillsborough County with State Attorney Lopez.”

He added: “You don’t just tie up a dog and have them out there for a storm. Totally unacceptable, and we’re going to hold you accountable.”

Garcia faces up to five years in prison, having been released from Jail on a $2,500 cash bond.

Lopez said he will not have the dog returned to him.