TAMPA - The man who was accused of abandoning his dog during Hurricane Milton in 2024 has been cleared.

The State Attorney's Office, 13th Judicial Circuit announced it has dropped the charge against the dog's former owner.

Giovanny Garcia was originally charged with aggravated animal cruelty, but he's been cleared of criminal responsibility. The state attorney's office said the evidence doesn't support the allegations.

The backstory:

The Tampa Bay area was bracing for a second hurricane impact as Milton churned towards the Gulf Coast with increasing intensity in October 2024.

Evacuation orders were already given and drivers were recommended to stay off of the roads as people were encouraged to shelter indoors for the oncoming storm.

The Florida Highway Patrol says a trooper found

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