The younger bull terrier found tied to a fence and left for lifeless as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida earlier this yr has discovered his perpetually residence on Monday — whereas his allegedly abusive former proprietor awaits his court docket date for the merciless act.
The pup, named “Trooper,” was adopted by a loving couple who’ve cared for bull terriers for over three many years, in line with a Fb put up from the Leon County Humane Society.
Frank and Carla Spina stated their hearts broke once they heard about Trooper’s story following the catastrophic storm that killed 32 throughout the southern US in October.
“We both looked at the video, and being bull terrier owners for 30 years, this is our 34th year of only raising that breed,” Frank Spina informed Fox 13 Tampa on Tuesday.
“I said to Carla that, ‘We need to go get him.’ She said, ‘I’ll try.’ I don’t know how we would get him.”
A Florida Freeway Patrol trooper found the pooch tied to a fence alongside I-75 in Tampa because the lethal storm rapidly approached the Sunshine State.
A viral video confirmed the officer trudging throughout a soggy discipline and rescuing the terrified pup simply in time.
The Leon County Humane Society then despatched Trooper to a foster residence in Tallahassee after receiving a name from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ workplace. All through his journey, the dog-loving couple carefully monitored his standing.
Weeks later, the Spina’s noticed that functions had been opened for Trooper’s adoption, and the couple didn’t hesitate to use.
They wrote a heartwarming, two-page letter confessing their love for the bull terrier breed and their want to welcome Trooper into their household.
Nonetheless, the shelter Trooper was staying at throughout his adoption section had some considerations because the pup’s former abuser was male, and he hadn’t been responding nicely round males since being rescued, in line with Fox 13.
However Frank Spina, being an skilled bull terrier proprietor, didn’t fret at their considerations.
“I said, ‘Listen, we’re not going to have any trouble me and him. We’re going to be best buddies,’” he informed the outlet.
“I said, ‘If we come get them on Friday, on Sunday, we’ll be sitting on the couch watching television.’ And they were like, ‘No way.’”
The couple drove to fulfill Trooper and it was clear the pup discovered his perpetually residence.
“From the moment he was introduced to his new Mom and Dad, you could see that it was a perfect match,” in line with the Leon County Humane Society.
“In other meetings, Trooper would normally be visibly on edge and uncomfortable, but with Frank and Carla, Trooper seemed immediately at ease.”
One of many shelter staff informed him it was clearly “a match made in heaven’” and it was like he had “cast a spell over him,’” Frank Spina informed Fox 13.
The couple additionally introduced their different bull terrier, a feminine pooch named Dallas, they usually have been ecstatic to see the 2 canines hit it off immediately.
“Dallas, her eyes lit up. It was like she saw Prince Charming, so those two got along,” he stated.
The couple believes Trooper is round three years previous and has assimilated significantly into their loving residence.
His heartless former proprietor, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, was arrested on Oct. 15 and has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony.
Garcia admitted leaving the canine, a white bull terrier referred to as “Jumbo,” on Interstate 75 as he raced towards Georgia forward of the storm.
The 23-year-old informed officers he left the pup as a result of he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis referred to as out Garcia’s “unacceptable” actions as he evacuated the storm’s eye.
“When this poor dog was left out there,” DeSantis stated, “we said … we’re going to nail you when we find out who did it. And that’s exactly what they’re doing here in Hillsborough County with State Attorney Lopez.”
“You don’t just tie up a dog and have them out there for a storm. Totally unacceptable, and we’re going to hold you accountable,” DeSantis stated at a information convention in October.
Hillsborough County State Legal professional Suzy Lopez stated Garcia faces as much as 5 years in jail for the felony and won’t get the canine again to him.
Garcia will probably be arraigned on Dec. 18, a spokesperson for Lopez informed Tallahassee.com Monday.
