Filiberto Reyes is demanding justice after his 9-year-old husky Ruso was found hanged in a Lynwood alley.
Reyes, who lives in the Los Angeles area, initially believed his beloved pet had simply run away. That hope ended when a neighbor showed him disturbing footage of Ruso’s body hanging from a metal security door outside a laundromat roughly a mile from home.
“It’s like losing a son. The way he died…. No words can describe it,” Reyes told the LA Times.
Heartbreaking photos shared on social media show Ruso enjoying beach trips, going on walks and snuggling with his family before the killing.
Reyes said neighbors told him they saw two people approach a fence near the home, where Ruso allegedly bit the woman’s hand. The pair then allegedly lured the dog away with food before killing him. Reyes believes the suspects “agitated” the husky and took him after he tried to defend himself.
The Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation in Sherman Oaks has taken up the case, posting about it on Facebook and calling for consequences. “Witnesses say the dog ran up to a woman, the man she was with kicked it, and the next time anyone saw the dog, it was hanging from a door,” the foundation wrote.
The organization also shared broader frustration about conditions in Los Angeles. “What happened to Los Angeles? It used to be the dream. I was one of them. It made people who lived there feel like they were a star,” the post read. “Now that vibe is gone. Now it’s lawless, full of crime, with apathetic politicians who would rather virtue signal than solve the problems.”
The foundation identified the suspects as people it believes to be homeless. “We don’t care what someone’s circumstances are. Homeless or not, if you kill a dog like this, you face justice, whatever form that takes,” the group wrote.
The foundation shared what it called the last known footage of Ruso, hoping it would help investigators. “This is the last known footage of the husky who was hanged to death in Lynwood, California. It happened near Magnolia Ave,” the post read. “We and others posted about this case a few days ago. The suspect is still at large, but we’re hoping this footage will provide more clues to help identify the man responsible and lead to an arrest.”
Lynwood City Councilman Luis Cuellar said a city manager was notified of the incident. The city released a statement to the LA Times expressing grief and concern. “The City of Lynwood is deeply saddened and disturbed by the reported animal cruelty incident that has caused significant concern throughout our community,” the statement read. “We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the dog’s owner and to everyone affected by this deeply troubling situation.”
It was unclear Tuesday whether any arrests had been made. The California Post reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for more information.