Two hikers were shocked to find a distressed German shepherd on a trail, its mouth cruelly secured with a zip tie. The dog is now safe, and authorities are actively seeking the person responsible.
On July 3, in a remote area near Malibu Creek Canyon, two rock climbers encountered a heartbreaking scene: a distressed 7-year-old German shepherd with its muzzle bound by a zip tie.
The climbers stopped to help, patiently earning the dog’s trust to remove the zip tie. Once freed, the dog warmed up to them, accepting food and gentle petting.
“He is such a sweet dog,” Jonathan Manaoat, one of the hikers, told KTLA. “He allowed my friend and me to pet him and gently ate our food out of our hands.”
Shocked by the cruelty, Manaoat remarked, “Someone did this intentionally. They left him stranded, suffering, and for dead.”
The dog also had inflammation and warts, likely from poison oak exposure.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded and took the dog to Palmdale Animal Care Center for treatment. He was then placed in the care of Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control’s Agoura Animal Center.
According to a press release from In Defense of Animals, the dog, now named Argon, is undergoing tests for suspected lymphoma. Despite his ordeal, Argon has been sweet and gentle, receiving much love and care.
The identity of the person who abandoned Argon remains unknown, but animal groups are offering a substantial reward for information leading to an arrest.
In Defense of Animals, Peace 4 Animals, and Hollywood producer Marc Gurvitz are collectively offering a $12,000 reward. Anyone with information is urged to contact 415-879-6879.
“We are grateful for the quick actions of these hikers and law enforcement, but our efforts must continue,” said Fleur Dawes, Communications Director of In Defense of Animals. “Argon was left to suffer and die in a remote location. We urge anyone with information about this cruel act to come forward. We are determined to find the person responsible for this horrific abuse and hold them accountable since they are a danger to others.”
“This cruel and heartless act of abandoning an innocent German Shepherd in scorching temperatures with his mouth zip-tied over the 4th of July weekend is reprehensible. The individual responsible must be swiftly and decisively brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law. Rest assured, justice will prevail!” said Katie Cleary, Founder of Peace 4 Animals and World Animal News.
It’s heartbreaking that anyone would do such a horrible thing to this beautiful dog, but we’re glad Argon is in good hands now and hope the culprit faces justice!
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