Cheers to Florida State Attorney Suzy Lopez, who has charged Giovanny Aldama Garcia with aggravated animal cruelty after he admitted to leaving his dog on Interstate 75 as he evacuated to safety during Hurricane Milton last week.

“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,” Lopez said during a press conference Oct. 15. “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.”

Friends of Animals couldn’t agree more.

And bravo to Trooper Orlando Morales who is a hero. He got a tip from a driver about the animal on the side of the road and diligently searched until he saw the dog tied up. Trooper Morales found the dog as water was rising to the animal’s neck and Hurricane Milton was bearing down on Tampa. Now named Trooper, the dog is safe and will not be returned to the defendant.

The defendant told investigators he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane but left his dog “Jumbo” on the side of the road because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up. We’ve never heard anything so selfish. How about making room in your car for your family member!

Unfortunately, this man’s attitude is all too common these days. We have noticed a chilling number of dogs and cats dumped and left to die in Connecticut where we are headquartered, and almost everywhere.

What’s prompted this epidemic of pet abandonment, this crime wave?

Yes, pet abandonment is a crime because unfortunately, under the law, cats and dogs are legal property. In nearly all 50 states, “abandoning” an animal is classified as animal abuse, a criminal offense. In the state of Massachusetts, it’s considered a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine up to $2,500. In Arkansas, depending on the specific circumstances and the level of “cruelty” involved in how you treat or abandon your animal, the charge will range from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony with a possible six-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine.

That’s well deserved! It’s intolerable to acquire a dog or cat if you’re not willing to make a lifelong commitment.