'Trooper's Law' Advances Through Second Florida House Committee

Trooper’s Law, inspired by a Bull Terrier who was abandoned and tied to a pole during Hurricane Milton evacuations, unanimously passed its second House committee stop on Thursday.

The bill, HB 205, or Trooper's Law, would create a new offense of animal neglect for abandoning a restrained dog outside a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado. The penalty for an offense would be a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of as much as $10,000.

Rep. Philip Wayne "Griff" Griffitts, Jr. (R-Panama City) filed HB 205, titled Abandoning Restrained Dogs During Natural Disasters, in the House in January. Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola) filed a Senate version in January as well.

Later named Trooper, the Bull Terrier was found terrified and growling by Tampa Florida Highway Patrol troopers in belly-high water along Interstate 75 last October. A man, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, was later identified and arrested for the dog's abandonment.

Aldama Garcia was later charged with aggravated animal cruelty, which is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis scorned the horrific incident, which also gained national attention, last October.

"We had somebody decide as Hurricane Milton approached that it would somehow be a good thing to take his dog and chain it to a post on the interstate. Well, we had Florida Highway Patrol with us hear today that saw that dog in distress," DeSantis said. Dog was very rattled from that experience, rescued the dog. The dog's now in Tallahassee, will be adopted, renamed Trooper."

"We said at the time, you don't just tie up a dog and have them out there for a storm. Totally unacceptable. We're gonna hold you accountable. Well, I'm proud to announce authorities have identified the dog's former owners and State Attorney Suzy Lopez is now pursuing animal cruelty charges against the individual," DeSantis added.

Frank and Carla Spina of Parkland later adopted Trooper.

Both bills have one more committee stop. If fully passed by the Florida Legislature, HB 205/SB 150 would take effect on Oct. 1.