Hikers Find A Dog In Malibu Canyon With Zip-Ties Cruelly Wrapped Around His Neck And Mouth

It was one of those golden California afternoons when two friends set out for a casual hike through Malibu Creek Canyon.

But what they discovered hidden away in the canyon was something they could never have imagined.

As they picked their way down a steep embankment, about 250 feet off the road, something caught their eye behind a cluster of rocks.

At first, it looked like a shadow, but then a pair of sad, frightened eyes blinked back at them. It was a dog.

At first, they thought maybe he was just lost and hiding, waiting for someone to find him. But as they got closer, their hearts dropped.

The poor pup wasn’t simply lost. He had zip ties cruelly strapped around his mouth and neck.

Whoever had done this hadn’t just abandoned him. They had left him to suffer, silenced and helpless, in the middle of nowhere.

The dog’s body trembled as he stared at the strangers. His eyes pleaded for help, but they also showed doubt, as if he couldn’t believe anyone would actually save him.

One of the hikers slowly lowered himself to the ground, speaking softly, letting the dog see that kindness had finally arrived. Inch by inch, the dog began to creep closer.

And then came the moment of relief. With steady, careful hands, the hiker managed to cut away the zip tie around his muzzle.

The change was instant. It was as if the dog finally took his first real breath in days. The hiker shared in an interview:

“I was laying down the floor as he got closer and that was when I was able to yank the zip tie off his mouth. And I got to see the relief off the dog’s face.”

They quickly offered him food and water, which he gratefully accepted. Slowly, the fear in his eyes began to melt away.

Not long after, animal control and the police arrived. Together, they got the dog into a vehicle and transported him to safety at the Palmdale Animal Care Center.

The pup, now named Argon, was estimated to be around seven years old. He had some inflammation and growths on his belly, but nothing life-threatening.

With medical care and rest, he was soon moved to the Agoura Animal Care Center, where he could continue healing, both inside and out.

The hikers who had saved him didn’t disappear from the story. They stayed in touch, checking in and advocating for him.

They also pushed for justice because the cruelty Argon endured was unacceptable, as they shared:

“No animal, no sentient being, should ever be put through the torture that this animal was going through.”

But despite everything, Argon didn’t let the cruelty of his past define him. He welcomed affection, and anyone who met him fell instantly in love.

But just when life seemed to be turning around, Argon faced another heartbreak. He was diagnosed with lymphoma.

His caregivers were crushed, but they weren’t about to let him fight alone. The German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County stepped in to give him the best possible treatment.

Argon didn’t give up. He showed everyone that his spirit was far stronger than the hardships he had endured.

Now, all Argon needs is the forever home he’s always deserved, a place where he will never again know fear or abandonment, only comfort and unconditional love.

Because if any dog has earned that chance, it’s Argon.