Left For Dead With Muzzle And Neck Zip-Tied, Dog Rescued From Malibu Canyon

MALIBU, CA — An animal welfare organization is offering a reward to help find those responsible for zip-tying a dog — cutting off his ability to eat or drink water — and abandoning him, after the dog was found in the Santa Monica Mountains wilderness last week.

A pair of hikers found the German shepherd in Malibu Canyon the evening of July 3. The distressed dog's snout was zip-tied shut and he had another zip tie around his neck, In Defense of Animals said Monday.

The hikers quickly called 911 and managed to remove the zip tie from around the dog's muzzle before police and animal control arrived. Once authorities arrived, they freed the dog from the zip tie around his neck and carried him to safety.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said they met the hikers near the 500 block of North Malibu Canyon Road and that the dog was about 250 feet down the side of the road, KTLA reported.

Rescuers said the dog gradually warmed up to them and allowed them to pet him at eat from their hands, which is shown in a video shared by the nonprofit. The dog, described as sweet and gentle, was transported to the Agoura Animal Care Center, where he continues to be provided care and attention.

The dog also suffered from inflammation, warts and skin tags on his legs, stomach and groin. Officials suspect the dog, estimated to be 7 years old, had been exposed to poison oak, KTLA reported.

“We are grateful for the quick actions of these hikers and law enforcement, but our efforts must continue,” In Defense of Animals representative Fleur Dawes said. “This dog 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.”

The organization is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the abuse and abandonment of the dog.

Anyone with information about the dog is asked to call In Defense of Animals at 415-879-6879, the LASD Malibu/Lost Hills station at 818-878-1808 or the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control at 562-940-6898.