Climbers in Malibu find abandoned German Shepherd with zip ties around mouth, neck

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.”

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'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.

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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.

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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 nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.