Two Shelter Dogs Found Dead Weeks After Las Vegas Adoption Sparks Outrage

What began as a heartwarming adoption story quickly turned into a devastating double tragedy.

In late May 2025, a pit bull named Ribbit was featured on KTNV’s Morning Blend as part of an adoption spotlight. Days later, on May 30, she was adopted by Flavio Garcia.

The Animal Foundation even shared a smiling photo of Garcia holding his new companion — an image that would soon become a painful reminder of what went wrong.

Just two days later, on June 1, Ribbit’s body was discovered by Clark County Animal Protection Services (APS) officers near the Nellis Air Force Base gate.

Reports describe puncture wounds, lacerations, and decomposition fluids, with Ribbit still wearing her green nylon slip lead and shelter tag.

That same day, another gruesome discovery was made miles away. Behind a dumpster on East Lake Mead Boulevard lay a German Shepherd named Canela — also adopted by Garcia, just two weeks earlier on May 14.

Conflicting Explanations From the Adopter

When APS investigators questioned Garcia on June 3, his story immediately raised red flags.

He claimed Ribbit was “alive and well” that Sunday morning when he left for work, insisting he didn’t know she was dead until investigators told him.

Confronted with the evidence, Garcia reportedly “remained silent and shook his head.”

Weeks later, Garcia changed his story entirely — texting investigators a photo of Ribbit dead at the bottom of a swimming pool. He claimed she had drowned after being left unattended at an address on Crazyhorse.

For Canela, the explanations were just as murky. Garcia’s uncle told officers the dog had escaped by jumping the fence, but Garcia himself didn’t notify The Animal Foundation that Canela was missing until June 3 — two days after APS had already informed him of her death.

The Necropsy Controversy

Despite the disturbing details, Clark County officials decided not to conduct necropsies on either dog — a move that has left animal advocates furious.

Investigators wrote that the dogs’ condition was “not unusual” and that there wasn’t enough evidence for criminal charges.

Instead, Garcia was issued only administrative citations for animal cruelty, abandonment, and restraint violations — penalties that carried fines but no jail time.

Without necropsies, experts say it’s impossible to determine the cause of death or whether Ribbit and Canela suffered abuse or neglect. 

KTNV asked county officials for clarification on when necropsies are required, how often they are used in cruelty cases, and who makes that decision. As of this reporting, no answers have been provided.

Hearts Alive Village, a nonprofit contracted by Clark County to perform forensic veterinary services, says necropsies are standard in suspected abuse cases.

Executive Director Christy Stevens explained that about 80% of animals in cruelty investigations are deceased, and detailed necropsies are used to build cases for prosecution.

Yet in this instance, no such examination took place — and investigators even noted that cameras near the Air Force Base may have been turned off, writing: “Unless video footage is provided, no further investigation will be pursued.”

The Animal Foundation Responds

After news of Ribbit’s death surfaced, The Animal Foundation reportedly swiftly removed Garcia’s adoption photo from its social media pages, citing the ongoing investigation.

In a statement to KTNV, the shelter defended its process, emphasizing that it facilitates over 10,000 adoptions annually and performs background checks using shared APS databases.

“Every adopter is vetted,” the organization said, “and the individual in this case had no prior issues flagged by APS at the time of adoption.”

Garcia has since been permanently added to the shelter’s “Do Not Adopt” list. The foundation stressed that it is not a law enforcement body and relies on APS for follow-up investigations in cruelty cases.

The story grew darker when records revealed a third dog, Calliope, was also linked to Garcia’s household. On June 11, Garcia’s uncle surrendered Calliope back to The Animal Foundation.

The details of her condition and the circumstances of her surrender remain unclear, leaving advocates worried about how many animals may have been at risk.

Advocates Demand Action

Tracy Paz, the animal advocate who discovered Canela’s body, has become one of the most vocal critics of how this case was handled.

Speaking at a recent Las Vegas City Council meeting, she called for tougher oversight, citing the broader crisis of shelter overcrowding and limited investigative follow-through.

“This isn’t just about one adopter,” advocates argue — it’s about a system where tragic outcomes can slip through the cracks.

Without necropsies or robust post-adoption monitoring, there’s no way to ensure justice for animals like Ribbit and Canela.

A System Under Strain

The case comes amid mounting challenges for animal welfare in Southern Nevada.

The Animal Foundation, which serves Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Clark County, has faced chronic overcrowding for years.

In 2024 alone, the shelter euthanized over 2,000 dogs and 1,300 cats — despite repeated public pleas for fosters and adopters.

Officials reported that intake levels have surged by more than 60% since 2020, pushing the shelter to what staff have described as “inhumane” capacity.

Earlier this year, Clark County introduced new welfare regulations requiring all dogs and cats over four months old to be microchipped, and mandating that pet service businesses report and preserve deceased animals for necropsy within 12 hours.

However, those rules do not apply to private pet owners — leaving a regulatory blind spot when adopted animals die shortly after leaving a shelter.

Unanswered Questions

The heartbreaking deaths of Ribbit and Canela leave a trail of unanswered questions:

• Why were necropsies declined despite the suspicious circumstances?
• Who determines when a necropsy is warranted — and what are the official criteria?
• Could stronger screening or follow-up procedures have prevented these adoptions?
• What happens when critical surveillance footage is missing — or never reviewed?

As Clark County residents and animal advocates continue to demand transparency, this case stands as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for reform.

For now, Ribbit and Canela’s deaths underscore a painful truth: without rigorous oversight, even well-intentioned adoption systems can fail the very animals they’re meant to protect.