German Shepherd found zip-tied and abandoned in Malibu is seen making remarkable recovery - as reward for finding cruel abusers shoots up to $25,000

Nov 11, 2024

By SANDRA CLARK FOR DAILYMAIL.COM 17:43 24 Sep 2024, updated 19:07 24 Sep 2024

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Nearly three months after being left for dead with his mouth zip-tied shut in a remote Malibu ravine, German Shepherd Argon is well on his way to recovery, DailyMail.com can reveal.

The seven-year-old dog has made a remarkable transformation since his rescue in July, as seen in a recent dog photoshoot of the handsome boy.

The new photos, courtesy of Dogma Pet Portraits in Costa Mesa, reveal a healthier and happier looking pup who has slowly, but surely gained the trust of his caretakers at the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County (GSROC).

The charity has worked diligently to restore Argon's health after taking in the helpless dog just days after he was rescued by two unsuspecting hikers on July 3.

He was found to have a double ear infection, trauma to his hind legs, was 30lbs underweight, and was later diagnosed with lymphoma.

Since then, Argon's condition and well-being has improved significantly, with the dog now warming up to people and even happily posing for his close-up.

'He's a master poser, let me tell you. He's so photogenic,' said GSROC founder and director Maria Dales who gave Argon his name.

'Dogma Pet Portraits reached out to us and asked how they could help. They offered to do a photo shoot to draw awareness and I said, heck yes.'

Argon's abusers remain at large, and the reward for finding the perpetrators has now skyrocketed to $25,000 from $2,500.

The German Shepherd has been undergoing weekly chemotherapy sessions and caretakers now hope to find him a loving home once his treatments are completed within the next eight weeks.

'His spirits are very good. He is holding his own with the chemo treatment which is wonderful news because frankly I was kind of afraid about that,' Dales told DailyMail.com.

'The chemo is an injectable and an oral med. He goes to the oncologist for that, and they observe him while he's being treated and then he goes back and just rests. It makes him a little tired, just like humans,' explained Dales.

Argon continues to receive top-notch care by the rescue's vets at the renowned Saddleback Animal Hospital in Orange County where he was admitted on July 10.

In addition to having his own orthopedic bed, the handsome pooch has a new best friend.

'He has a favorite vet technician who is trying to teach him sit and shake,' Dales said.

'He's not as closed off to people. He's much warmer now and lets you pet him. He doesn't wince or shriek away like he did at first.

With proper medical care, lymphoma in dogs can go into remission.

'In spite of all he's been through, Argon is still an amazing spirit,' Dales added.

'The fact that he is so forgiving and starting to trust again, it's just so miraculous.'

GSROP has created Angels for Argon as a way to subsidize for the steep vet bills.

Dubbed 'the Argon Collection', supporters can purchase everything from t-shirts and sweatshirts to magnets and tote bags featuring artwork of the pup's face with funds going directly to his care.

Dales, who founded GSROC in 1999, suspects Argon was used for breeding before being callously dumped some 250 feet down the side of a road in Malibu Creek Canyon just before sunset in the blistering heat of summer.

'My guess based on my thirty years in the business is that he was used as a stud and just thrown away when they were done with him,' she said.

He's still intact. He's gorgeous. Sadly, he was not well cared for. He most likely came from a breeder.

'Maybe someone will step up and say, I got my German Shepherd from a breeder.'

She is now enlisting the public's help in finding the perpetrators, and issued a call for anyone with information.

'Do you have a German Shepherd that you got from a breeder in the greater Los Angeles area?

'Do you suspect Argon could be your dog's father? Please send us any information you have, even anonymously. This person needs to be held responsible.'

It is unknown how long the dog had been alone in the wild and how he managed to survive as he was unable to pant, let alone drink water or eat.

Argon was originally taken to the Agoura Animal Care Center near Malibu where he was treated before being moved to the GSROC.

'Thank goodness for those hikers because if they weren't there, I think he would have been attacked by animals, you know coyotes, he couldn't defend himself,' said Dales.

The $25,000 reward leading to information, the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator was spearheaded by In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization, who were the first to learn about the rescue after receiving photos and video of Argon taken by the hikers.

'The funds have come from good hearted people,' said Dales.

'We are doing everything we can think of. There is a tip line. I just can't believe that someone doesn't want $25,000 to turn in an animal abuser.

'There is no excuse for this. There are so many options. They could have turned him into a shelter, they could have taken him to a vet. They could have called a rescue.

'We are not going to give up. We are not going away.'

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