HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Criminal charges have been dropped against a man accused of abandoning a dog on the side of Interstate 75 during Hurricane Milton in October 2024.

The case gained national attention after the dog, now named Trooper, was found in belly-high water, chained to a fence and abandoned on the side of I-75, near Pebble Creek, north of Tampa, as people were evacuating the area.

Trooper was rescued by Florida Highway Patrol troopers and has since been adopted by a loving family in Parkland after being surrendered by his owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia.

Local 10 News learned Friday that prosecutors dropped the case against Garcia on Wednesday, ending a case that sparked community outrage and even changed state law.

Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, makes abandoning or abusing animals a more serious felony and gives law enforcement stronger tools to protect pets.

A court document from Hillsborough County showing the state’s “notice of nolle prosequi,” or notice that it was dropping the case, did not give a reason for the decision, however the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office released the following statement to Local 10 News:

“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. While this case stirs many emotions and even ethical questions, we do not have a good-faith basis to continue this prosecution. While it was initially reported that the dog was tied to the fence with a rope, we have insufficient evidence to support that allegation. As a result, we cannot meet our burden of proving aggravated animal cruelty beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite this outcome regarding the prosecution, Trooper the dog and his story has led to real, positive change. Trooper has a loving new home, and ‘Trooper’s Law’ now makes it a felony to abandon a restrained animal during a natural disaster. We will always stand up for our community’s most vulnerable victims including children, the elderly, and animals.”

— Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office

Garcia would have faced up to five years in prison if he had been convicted.

Criminal charges dropped against Florida man accused of abandoning dog during Hurricane Milton

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