Remembering Argon: The German Shepherd Who Overcame Tragedy To Find Peace

It is with heavy hearts that WAN and Peace 4 Animals report that the heroic German Shepherd named Argon, who was abandoned in Malibu Creek State Park on a scorching hot summer day with zip ties wrapped around his mouth and neck, has earned his angel wings. He is now flying free in a place without sadness or suffering—a realm of pure love, light, and joy, where every dream is fulfilled.

“We are eternally grateful to everyone who fought alongside Argon to help him reach remission, however temporarily. He was able to enjoy several pain-free months, and we saw him romp and play and toss toys around like a puppy. He had a true home in the end with one of our incredible staff members, and he loved to sleep upside-down on his bed inside her home. No one who saw him before and after could believe the transformation. Sadly, when the cancer returned, his body was not strong enough to fight any longer. We could not let our boy suffer any pain. He transitioned peacefully with his favorite humans by his side. Argon will live on in our memories forever,” shared German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County.

It began on July 3rd, 2024, when two hikers made a heart-wrenching discovery. At around 7:45 p.m., they found a distressed dog with his mouth zip-tied shut and another zip tie tightly constricting his neck. The hikers quickly called 911, freeing his mouth from the zip tie before police and animal control arrived. Together, they released the zip tie from around his neck and carried him to safety.

Argon was immediately rushed to a veterinarian, where he was diagnosed with lymphoma, adding to an already heartbreaking situation. Thankfully, German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County stepped in, providing a foster home filled with love and care for Argon in his final days.

We are profoundly grateful to German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County for their unwavering compassion and commitment in providing Argon with a safe and loving home following his rescue. Though his journey was brief, it is immensely comforting to know that he was surrounded by love until the very end.

To this day, no one has been apprehended for the cruel abandonment of Argon in Malibu Creek State Park.

Peace 4 Animals and In Defense of Animals initially offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for cruelly abandoning Argon. Thanks to the overwhelming support from the public, the reward increased to $25,000.

If you have any information about Argon’s abandonment, please call (415) 879-6879.