Severely ill dog rescued from riverbed in South Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Volunteers from L.A. on Cloud9 and Hope for Paws rescued a severely ill dog from a riverbed in South Los Angeles Sunday. The dog was missing a leg when he was found.

Claudia Perez is the founder of L.A. on Cloud9, a group that helps the homeless community and animals in need. She says Jordan is emaciated and endured a shocking act of cruelty, but somehow survived.

Perez was in South L.A. with a group of volunteers distributing food to residents at a homeless encampment when they spotted Jordan in the riverbed.

"He was just in bad shape. All bones and severe mange, and a leg was chopped off," Perez said.

She called animal rescue organization Hope For Paws for help. Hope For Paws co-founder Eldad Hagar went into the wash and got Jordan out. That's when they realized the severity of his injuries.

Witnesses told Perez they saw a homeless person abuse the dog.

"The way it was cut and choked, thinking it was dead, so they just lunged him in the riverbed, thinking that's it," Perez said.

Just a few weeks ago, L.A. on Cloud9 found a dog named Misty in a heap of trash in South L.A. She had a broken leg and couldn't walk. She was treated at an emergency care center and now has a new home.

Perez plans to report Jordan's case to L.A. Animal Services. She says she is dedicated to stopping the abuse.

"You have tons and tons of resources to get these animals into safety," Perez said. "Instead of dumping them in riverbeds and just neglecting them, abusing them for torture, call."

Meanwhile, Hagar says Jordan is under critical care at the Veterinary Care Center in Hollywood. He was dehydrated and covered in mange and bacterial infections.

Hope For Paws will be covering Jordan's medical costs. When he recovers, Jordan will also be put up for adoption.

For more information on how you can help, visit www.hopeforpaws.org and www.laoncloud9.org.

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