TAMPA, Fla. – Charges have been dropped against a Hillsborough County man who was accused of leaving a dog tied up as Hurricane Milton approached the area last year.

According to documents, charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. The charges against Giovanny Aldama Garcia, of Ruskin, were dropped this week.

He was facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty after he admitted to leaving his dog on the side of the road.

Florida State Highway Patrol troopers found the dog near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and I-75 hours before the storm hit.

Garcia said he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane but left “Jumbo” behind because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.

The dog was later adopted by a new family and named “Trooper.”

The incident spurred new legislation to p

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