TAMPA: A man has been arrested for animal cruelty after authorities say he abandoned his dog in floodwaters near a highway as residents evacuated Florida's Gulf Coast last week shortly before Hurricane Milton made landfall.
The 23-year-old man from Ruskin, Florida, was charged Tuesday with felony aggravated animal cruelty.
A case docket hadn't yet been posted online so it was unknown if he had an attorney.
The dog, nicknamed Trooper by the Florida Highway Patrol, was found alive last Wednesday in floodwaters up to his chest along Interstate 75 in the Tampa area as residents evacuated Florida's Gulf Coast hours before the Category 3 hurricane made landfall.
"We take this crime very seriously and this defendant will face the consequences of his actions," said State Attorney Suzy Lopez, whose jurisdiction covers the Tampa area.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the investigation was ongoing and no additional information would be released for the time being.
The 23-year-old man from Ruskin, Florida, was charged Tuesday with felony aggravated animal cruelty.
A case docket hadn't yet been posted online so it was unknown if he had an attorney.
The dog, nicknamed Trooper by the Florida Highway Patrol, was found alive last Wednesday in floodwaters up to his chest along Interstate 75 in the Tampa area as residents evacuated Florida's Gulf Coast hours before the Category 3 hurricane made landfall.
"We take this crime very seriously and this defendant will face the consequences of his actions," said State Attorney Suzy Lopez, whose jurisdiction covers the Tampa area.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the investigation was ongoing and no additional information would be released for the time being.
You may also like
Big Brother star Ryan Bradshaw details shocking booze rule in unaired scenes
Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies at 31 in Argentina hotel fall
Liam Payne's poignant final message to fans in last moments before sudden death
BREAKING: Harry Styles' mum shares heartbreak as One Direction's Liam Payne dies aged 31
Harris' Response To Question On Gender-Affirming Surgery For Inmates Criticised: 'She Deflected
Punjab holds camp for real estate certificates
Bret Baier Alleges Kamala Harris Showed Up 15 Minutes Late For Interview
Hundreds of "mysterious black balls" wash ashore on popular Sydney beach
'Only confirms ... ': India on Trudeau's admission of not providing 'hard proof' on Nijjar killing
'When I first experienced menopause I thought I was having a heart attack - now it's my passion'
Budy Bags $4.2 Mn To Simplify Sales & Marketing For Businesses
State Pension payment rise to be missed by nearly half a million people next year
Valmiki Jayanti 2024 Wishes Messages, Quotes, Images, Greetings And WhatsApp Status To Share
South By Southeast: Marriage Equality – Will India Heed The Thai Message?
Who Is Fuelling Discord In India's Electoral Politics?
Valmiki's Transformation From Thief to Sage: 5 Life Lessons Every Kid Should Learn From Ramayana Author Story
Editorial: Many Issues At Stake In The All-Important Maharashtra Poll
Guiding Light: Shifting Into The Neutral Gear Of Life
Kamala Harris emphasizes her break from Biden and slams Trump in fiery Fox interview
Working on prosecuting flight threat culprits: Government