Dog abandoned, left zip-tied in Malibu wilderness dies

A dog whose story of surviving animal abuse and being found and rescued by good Samaritans has come to a bittersweet end.

Argon, a German shepherd who made national headlines after he was found last year wandering the Malibu wilderness with his snout zip-tied shut, died this week after a second battle with cancer.

The dog was found in July 2024 by two rock climbers who noticed the sweet and stoic creature suffering from clear signs of abuse, most noticeable, its mouth and neck being restrained with zip ties.

They were able to gain the dog’s trust and remove the zip tie from its mouth; they waited alongside him as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrived on scene and then carried him some 250 feet up the hill to safety.

He was brought to a local animal shelter for treatment of starvation, dehydration and exposure to poison oak. It was also discovered that the dog, given the name Argon, had telltale signs of lymphoma — a diagnosis that was later confirmed by animal care specialists.

Local nonprofits began raising funds for the dog to cover costs for his treatment, and to hopefully locate the person who left him to die in a remote area of Malibu Canyon.

He was eventually transferred to the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County where he became a “beloved guest” and a “model of heroism and strength for his followers.”

The cancer treatment, officials said, proved to be successful and Argon was able to enjoy five months of “pain-free remission” in which he ran and played and enjoyed his new lease on life.

He even got adopted by “a wonderful woman and slept in a cozy bed by her feet every night.”

But, sadly, the cancer returned, and the dog who battled and fought and refused to give up, ultimately was too tired to keep going.

His rescuers say he will be remembered for having a gentle and forgiving spirit, not for the pain and loss that he endured in his tragically short life.

“His story is one of inspiration and hope and reminds us that compassion conquers cruelty in the end,” officials said. “The last things he experienced were love, great care and the knowledge that he was treasured.”

The person responsible for abandoning Argon is still sought by law enforcement and animal welfare groups. The $25,000 reward raised by local groups remains available for anyone who’s able to provide information that leads to their identification or arrest.

Anyone with information is urged to call In Defense Of Animals at 415-879-6879.

Those who wish to honor Argon’s memory are encouraged to make a charitable donation to the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County in his name. The donation-funded nonprofit focuses on rehabilitating and rehoming German shepherd dogs that have faced past hardship.

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