Current:Home > MarketsClimbers in Malibu find abandoned German Shepherd with zip ties around mouth, neck-InfoLens
Climbers in Malibu find abandoned German Shepherd with zip ties around mouth, neck
View Date:2024-12-23 16:01:16
An investigation is underway after rock climbers in a remote area of Southern California reportedly found an abandoned dog with zip ties around its muzzle and neck last week.
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) officials said the dog − a 7-year-old male German Shepherd − was found the evening of July 3 in Malibu Creek Canyon.
Animal control officers reported the climbers found the dog about 250 feet down the side of a road in Agoura Hills.
The location where the hikers discovered the German Shepherd is just over 30 miles west of downtown LA.
“The circumstances in which this dog was found are horrific, and an affront to human decency and our role as responsible stewards to our pets,” said DACC Director, Marcia Mayeda. “DACC thanks the Good Samaritans who found this poor creature, and wants to ensure the public that he is getting all the care he needs as we investigate how this crime occurred.”
Florida community mourns K-9 officer:'You got one last bad guy off the street'
'He allowed my friend and I to pet him and gently ate our food'
One of the climbers who found the dog told KTLA-TV they were able to "gain the dog’s trust" long enough to remove the zip tie from its mouth and “he allowed my friend and I to pet him and he gently ate our food out of our hands.”
According to a news release from DACC, law enforcement was investigating who put the zip ties on the animal, how long the dog had been bound and who it belonged to.
Live updates:Beryl recovery begins amid heat advisory, millions without power in Texas
Stranded in a ravine with its mouth zip-tied shut
According to the release, Malibu Search and Rescue responded to the scene and found the dog stranded in a ravine and the climbers called authorities.
Rescuers cut more zip ties off the animal at the scene and transported it to the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter, the release continues. Officials reported the dog was then taken to Palmdale Animal Care Center for medical treatment.
A veterinarian determined the dog was suffering from inflammation, had been exposed to poison oak and found warts and skin tags on its stomach and groin area, KTLA-TV reported animal control said.
Ticks can be dangerous:Here's how to remove them from your skin safely.
Dog found zip-tied in Malibu Creek Canyon named Argon
According to a LA Animal Care and Control listing, officials named the dog Argon.
Argon weighs about 80 pounds and on Monday, the listing showed, had been transported back to the Agoura Animal Care Center.
As of Tuesday he was not immediately available for adoption.
In Defense of Animals, an animal-rights advocacy group based in San Raphael, said a reward is being offered by the agency and non-profit Peace 4 Animals for information leading to the person who abandoned the animal, IDA spokesperson Fleur Dawes told USA TODAY.
The amount increased from $2,500 to $7,600 this week.
“We are grateful for the quick actions of these hikers and law enforcement, but our efforts must continue,” Dawes said. “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.”
"Sadly, he may be suffering from lymphoma," Dawes announced in an update Tuesday adding Argon was undergoing tests.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Los Angeles law enforcement or animal control.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (96899)
Related
- Tennessee fugitive accused of killing a man and lying about a bear chase is caught in South Carolina
- Missouri’s voter ID law is back in court. Here’s a look at what it does
- Sen. Sanders pushes NIH to rein in drug prices
- Judge hands down 27-month sentence in attack on congresswoman in Washington apartment building
- Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest on charge of operating vehicle while intoxicated
- Police are investigating a sexual assault allegation against a Utah man who inspired a hit movie
- Pastoralists have raised livestock in harsh climates for millennia. What can they teach us today?
- The Oakland Athletics' owner failed miserably and MLB is selling out fans with Las Vegas move
- Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of the economy and jobs. Here’s how and why
- ASEAN defense chiefs call for immediate truce, aid corridor in Israel-Hamas war
Ranking
- Gavin Rossdale Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti
- New data: Over 100 elementary-aged children arrested in U.S. schools
- Which eye drops have been recalled? Full list of impacted products from multiple rounds of recalls.
- The Supreme Court won’t allow Florida to enforce its new law targeting drag shows during appeal
- Arbitrator upholds 5-year bans of Bad Bunny baseball agency leaders, cuts agent penalty to 3 years
- Demand for seafood is soaring, but oceans are giving up all they can. Can we farm fish in new ways?
- MLB cancels 2025 Paris games after failing to find promoter, AP sources say
- Poverty is killing the Amazon rainforest. Treating soil and farmers better can help save what’s left
Recommendation
-
Brands Our Editors Are Thankful For in 2024
-
The 'Friends' family is mourning one of its own on social media
-
The bearer of good news? More pandas could return to US, Chinese leader Xi hints
-
US imposes new sanctions over Russian oil price cap violations, Kremlin influence in the Balkans
-
Florida man’s US charges upgraded to killing his estranged wife in Spain
-
Raise a Glass to This Heartwarming Modern Family Reunion
-
Career year? These seven college football assistant coaches are due for a big payday
-
Tiger Woods cheers on son in first state golf championship: How Charlie earned his stripes