An investigation is underway after rock climbers discovered an abandoned dog with zip ties around its muzzle and neck in a remote area of Southern California last week.
Discovery and Immediate Rescue Efforts
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) reported that the dog, a 7-year-old male German Shepherd, was found on the evening of July 3 in Malibu Creek Canyon. Climbers located the distressed animal about 250 feet down the side of a road in Agoura Hills, approximately 30 miles west of downtown LA.
One of the climbers said they managed to gain the dog’s trust long enough to remove the zip tie from its mouth. “He allowed my friend and I to pet him and gently ate our food out of our hands,” the climber recounted. According to the DACC, Malibu Search and Rescue responded to the scene and found the dog stranded in a ravine. Rescuers removed additional zip ties from the animal and transported it to the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter. The dog was then taken to the Palmdale Animal Care Center for medical treatment.
Medical Examination and Current Condition
A veterinarian determined the German Shepherd, named Argon by officials, was suffering from inflammation, and exposure to poison oak. It had warts and skin tags on its stomach and groin area. Animal control officers noted that despite the traumatic experience, Argon showed resilience and responded well to care. As of Monday, Argon, who weighs about 80 pounds, was transported back to the Agoura Animal Care Center. Although not immediately available for adoption, Argon’s story has garnered significant attention.
Public Appeal and Reward for Information
In Defense of Animals, an animal-rights advocacy group based in San Raphael announced a reward for information leading to the identification of the person responsible for abandoning Argon. The reward, initially set at $2,500, has increased to $7,600 this week.
“We are grateful for the quick actions of these hikers and law enforcement, but our efforts must continue,” said Fleur Dawes, spokesperson for the agency and Peace 4 Animals, a non-profit organization. “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.”
In an update on Tuesday, Dawes revealed that Argon might be suffering from lymphoma and is currently undergoing tests to confirm the diagnosis. Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact Los Angeles law enforcement or animal control to aid in bringing the perpetrator to justice and ensuring the safety of other animals.