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GIOVANNY ALDAMA GARCIA arrested for abandoning dog tied to a post during Hurricane Milton evacuation

Updated: Oct 21

- Florida, USA -

 

~ Update: October 21, 2025:


The charges against GIOVANNY ALDAMA GARCIA (pictured) have been dismissed, and I reached out to Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez to find out why.


A response from her office stated the following:


“The case has been dropped because we learned through the deposition process that the dog was not tied up to the fence as was originally thought. Leading up to trial, which was to begin in November, the trooper who bravely rescued the dog during a state of emergency testified that his collar was stuck on the fence, and that no rope or chain was present. That is an important factor in the aggravated animal cruelty charge. It would have been unethical to move forward on those charges without that element present.


People have also asked why our office did not file lesser charges, such as animal abandonment. The defendant in this case never admitted to tying the dog on the fence. In his and his mother’s testimony during the deposition process, he testified that the animal (which was originally named Jumbo), was very scared as they were evacuating in the storm. He testified that the dog was acting aggressively in the car toward his mother, who panicked and stopped on the side of the road to gain control of the situation. They testified that the dog got spooked and ran off. The defendant testified he tried to run after him but lost him. The failure to locate the dog during an emergency evacuation is not a crime. We have no evidence to refute their testimony.


The information we had at the time from the arrest report and 911 call was that the dog was tied to the fence intentionally. Through depositions, we often learn critical details that were not clear at the time of the arrest or initial investigation. When we learned that the dog was not secured to the fence, and there was no rope, tie, or chain present, we could not move forward with the case.


We are grateful that this incident led to positive change with Trooper’s Law, and that Trooper is now in a loving home.”

 

~ Original story:


The lowlife who abandoned his dog tied to a post as he evacuated to safety during Hurricane Milton has been identified, arrested, and charged.


23-year-old GIOVANNY ALDAMA GARCIA (pictured) was arrested on October 14, 2024, and Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a press release that he has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty.


According to the press release, ALDAMA GARCIA admitted to leaving his dog, a white Bull Terrier named Jumbo, on Interstate 75 in Tampa during the evacuation. He told investigators he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane but left Jumbo “on the side of the road because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”


Jumbo was found and rescued on October 9, 2024, after a driver flagged down Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales who “diligently searched until he saw the dog tied up”, stated the release. Trooper Morales trudged across a soggy field to rescue the Innocent Soul.


Bodycam video posted on X by FHP Tampa showed Trooper Morales approaching Jumbo who was partially submerged in a grassy water pool with his neck tethered to a wire fence. As Trooper Morales approaches Jumbo he tries to reassure him as Jumbo is trembling and understandably terrified and confused. He growls and barks at Trooper Morales who keeps saying: “It’s ok buddy, it’s ok. I don’t blame you. It’s ok.”


Jumbo, now renamed Trooper, is safe and despite social media rumors and speculation, he will NOT be returned to the scum who heartlessly abandoned him!


“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,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.


Trooper was taken to the vet and was given a clean bill of health. Trooper was first taken to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center and is currently in a foster home in Tallahassee


The Leon County Humane Society said in a Facebook post: “Trooper is in foster care with a wonderful family who has breed experience. In this home he will continue to decompress and enjoy all the good things in life. His foster parents will learn more about him and have his best interests at heart. Fosters have first opportunity to adopt, but if they find that their household isn’t ideal for Trooper, we’ll start looking for the perfect fit based on his foster’s recommendations. We ask that you respect the privacy of our foster families.”


Online arrest records show that ALDAMA GARCIA was released from the Hillsborough County Jail on October 15, 2024, after posting a $2,500 cash bond.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available. In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.


Story on Voice For Us Facebook page


ALDAMA GARCIA’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office




 
 
 

AJA BRIANNA ZUKAS, owner of Paws Paradise, arrested after her dog was found close to death

- Florida, USA -

 

On September 6, 2024, Port St. Lucie Animal Control Officers responded to Paws Paradise, a pet grooming salon, after receiving a complaint regarding a dog left in the facility for more than 24 hours without food or water.

 

Officers found a 9-year-old male Terrier mix named Boo who looked malnourished. The dog’s guardian, and also owner of Paws Paradise, 35-year-old AJA BRIANNA ZUKAS (pictured), said that Boo had been left unattended for less than 24 hours. ZUKAS admitted to being aware that Boo was not healthy and said that she could not care for him and voluntarily surrendered the furvictim.

 

ACO took Boo to an emergency veterinary clinic where upon examination, he was “found to have cachexia (not having/no minimal muscle mass), pressure sores, small wounds along the edges of his ears, and pale gums possibly indicating anemia.”

 

ZUKAS told officers that Boo was thin because he had a bowel blockage, and the sores were the result of Boo rubbing on his crate. ZUKAS claims Boo had long-standing behavioral issues affecting his weight.

 

When Boo was re-examined on September 17, 2024, the veterinarian found that he had gained six pounds in eleven days, showing Boo’s health issues were from malnutrition.

 

The Port St. Lucie Police Department arrested ZUKAS on October 3, 2024, and charged her with one felony count of animal cruelty. She was released from the St. Lucie County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond.

 

WPTV reporter Cassandra Garcia reached ZUKAS over the phone and ZUKAS told her that the charges are inaccurate and that she has never harmed a dog in her fourteen years as groomer.

 

She went on to tell Ms. Garcia: “It is just the most shocking and overwhelming thing that I can imagine going through. There’s nothing for anyone to be concerned about because I’ve decided to resign.”

 

# # #

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

ZUKAS’  mugshot shared from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office

 

Boo’s pictures shared from WPTV




 
 
 

ANDREW JASPER WADE WHITEHURST arrested–Two malnourished dogs and a dead one found at a Lakeland home

- Florida, USA -

 

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 26-year-old ANDREW JASPER WADE WHITEHURST (pictured).

 

On October 2, 2024, deputies were contacted to do a well-being check at a residence on 5616 3rd Street SE # 4. The witness reported seeing skinny dogs inside.

 

When deputy Torres arrived, he found the power off, a foul odor emanating from the residence, and no one home.

 

According to the press release by the sheriff's office, the deputy was able to find information about WHITEHURST, the homeowner, and called him.

The sheriff's office said that when WHITEHURST arrived, he lied about his real name and told deputies his name was “Kevin James.” He then said that he was a friend of WHITEHURST’s coming to check on the dogs.

 

Eventually, WHITEHURST admitted the dogs were his and said that he was scared to reveal his real identity.

 

WHITEHURST told deputy Torres that he left on September 26, 2024, for work and stayed away for a week. He went on to say that although he did not arrange for his father to go and check on his dogs, he assumed his father would.

 

WHITEHURST allowed the deputy to enter the residence. Once inside the deputy sadly found one deceased dog, and two others who were alive but were malnourished. According to the affidavit, the deceased furvictim was found “in the living room area and was beginning to decompose. A necropsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death; however, at this time, it appears the dog died from a heat-related issue.”

 

The deputy said there was no water for the dogs and reported that the floor was covered with feces and urine. It was very hot inside and there was no air circulation.

 

Following the execution of a search warrant, the two live dogs were removed and “their internal temperatures were immediately checked”, stated the release.

 

Both furvictims were examined and as stated in the affidavit: “The first dog scored a 1/9 on the Purina Body Condition System. A Purina Body Condition Score of 1 out of 9 indicates ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones, and all bony prominences evident from a distance, with no discernible body fat and an obvious loss of muscle mass.

 

The second dog scored a 2/9 on the Purina Body Condition System. A Purina Body Condition Score of 2 out of 9 indicates ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones easily visible, with no palpable fat and some evidence of other bony prominences, as well as minimal loss of muscle mass.”

 

WHITEHURST was arrested and charged with three felony counts of animal cruelty, one misdemeanor count of confining an animal without sufficient food or water, and one count of providing false information to law enforcement.

 

Online arrest records show the scum is currently being held in the Polk County Jail, awaiting a first appearance hearing.

 

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: “If you own pets, it is your responsibility to take care of them by providing them with food, water, and shelter which includes free-flowing air. Not doing so is evidence of someone with no conscience and a great disregard for life. Andrew doesn't deserve to be a pet owner ever again.”

 

I took the liberty of naming the deceased furbaby Aspen, for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

  

# # #

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

WHITEHURST’s mugshot and pictures provided to Voice For Us by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office



 
 
 

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