Dog found with zip ties around mouth, neck in California wilderness

"He is such a sweet dog. He allowed my friend and I to pet him and he gently ate our food out of our hands."

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) - An investigation is underway after a dog was found in a remote area of Malibu Creek Canyon with zip ties over its muzzle and neck.

The dog was discovered by a pair of rock climbers last Wednesday evening, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.

One of the rock climbers that found the dog told Nexstar's KTLA in an email that they were able to gain the dog's trust long enough to remove the zip tie from its mouth. The dog warmed up to them after having its mouth freed.

"He is such a sweet dog," he said. "He allowed my friend and I to pet him and he gently ate our food out of our hands."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to the call and deputies met the climbers.

The dog was about 250 feet down the side of the road, officials said. He was eventually carried up the hill to safety with the help of first responders.

In addition to the zip ties around his neck and snout, the dog also had inflammation, warts and skin tags on its legs, stomach and groin.

"The officer suspected the dog had been exposed to poison oak," a DACC official said.

The dog was impounded and taken to Palmdale Animal Care Center for treatment. He's since been returned to the County's Agoura Animal Center.

The dog's listing on the DACC website describes him as a German shepherd that's estimated to be about 7 years old.

"Our department is investigating, and for now he is in good hands at our Agoura Care Center, I’m certain getting lots of love from our staff and volunteers," the official told KTLA.

The hiker who sent photos and videos of the dog says he hopes getting the story to the public will help find the person responsible for abandoning him.

"Someone did this intentionally. They left him stranded, down a hill in the middle of nowhere off the side of the road. They left him suffering. They left him for dead," he said. "I am still trying to wrap my mind around what happened but I know something needs to be done to find the person who did it."

The animal rescue organization In Defense of Animals is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for the dog's abuse.