WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT
Before earning the name Ken, this poor Pit Bull Mix was known as KO. But the person who was supposed to take care of him abandoned him at a cell phone tower in the Winchester area of Riverside, California. His owner made sure Ken didn’t follow him by throwing him over a chain-link fence topped with coils of barbed wire.
It wasn’t a delicate fall for Ken, as the fence was well above human height. And the whole cruel moment was captured on surveillance video from the tower.
Maintenance workers servicing the tower found Ken less than two hours later and contacted Riverside County Animal Services in Jurupa Valley. Officer Michael McGee responded and took eight-year-old Ken into the care of a county shelter where a microchip scan revealed the identity of the man who threw Ken over the fence. Now, Animal Services is seeking an arrest warrant for Robert Ruiz Jr., 30.
caught on video
Riverside County Animal Services posted video of Ken being thrown into the tower, and in addition to being cruelly thrown over the high fence, the poor pup looks so sad and confused as Ruiz walks away.
And for his callous action, Animal Services will seek prosecution against Ruiz for willful abandonment of an animal.
“We are now moving forward with the warrant search because this person must be held accountable for such a horrific act of willful neglect,” Animal Services Commander Josh Sisler said. “We are sure that the man in the video is the owner of the dog. It is simply shocking to see this act. It is a small miracle that the dog did not sustain serious injuries from the barbed wire or from falling so high.”
Animal Services made multiple attempts to contact Ruiz through the information on the microchip record, but as they shared, “It appears that he no longer resides there and the phone number provided for the chip does not allow calls.”
RELATED: Abandoned dog with a note on its collar is immediately adopted
After his rescue from the cell tower, Ken underwent a medical exam and “veterinary staff treated the dog’s right eye for mucoid discharge. His left eye also had discharge, but it was less severe than his right eye.”
On Twitter, Animal Services revealed that Ken was already much happier despite his eyes.
We sent out a press release about a blatant example of neglect. This is a happier scene for the dog…@RivCoAhora pic.twitter.com/mSO7J2fYkU
— RivCO Animal SERVICES (@helpinRIVcoPETS) January 5, 2023
New home found fast
And although Ken was the victim of a terrible act, this good boy already has something to celebrate: a new home.
When Jennifer, an Orange County resident, saw Ken’s sad story, she “felt compelled to drive to Jurupa Valley to give ‘Ken’ a new home.” And now, Ken and Jennifer are new best friends forever!
RELATED: Formerly Abandoned Dog Is Desperately Searching For A Special Forever Home
Watch the full clip of Ken’s cruel abandonment below:
Featured Image: Riverside County Animal Services/Facebook