UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect that three dogs are tied to the same family, but two, Ribbit and Canela, were adopted by the same individual, Flavio Garcia. It also adds verbatim excerpts from Clark County Animal Protection Services (APS) records, clarifies timelines and locations, and includes a full statement from The Animal Foundation. Documents Channel 13 obtained do not explicitly state when Canela and Ribbit were adopted from TAF. We are still awaiting a response from Clark County officials.
It started with a picture: records show a man posing proudly with a dog he had just adopted from The Animal Foundation. Weeks later, that same dog — a pit bull named Ribbit — was found dead. Now, newly obtained records from Clark County Animal Protection Services (APS) confirm that Ribbit wasn’t the only animal who died shortly after leaving the shelter. Another dog, Canela, also adopted by the same person, was found dead as well — on the very same day, at a separate location.
What the APS records say: Ribbit
On June 1, 2025, APS documented Ribbit’s discovery near the Nellis Air Force Base gate:
“I observed a deceased brown and white Pit Bull laying on the side road near the north bound lanes, south of the Nellis Air Force Base gate… The dog has a green nylon slip lead attached that is commonly used at TAF.”
The investigator noted puncture wounds, a laceration, and decomposition fluids, before relocating Ribbit to The Animal Foundation for necropsy.
Ribbit was traced back to Garcia through her microchip, which tied him to the investigation. When questioned days later, on June 3rd, Garcia’s account conflicted with the APS findings:
“I asked Garcia when he had last saw Ribbit, he stated Sunday morning when he was leaving for work… I asked if she was alive and well and he stated that she was… I advised Garcia that I had impounded Ribbit deceased on Sunday evening, Garcia remained silent and shook his head. I asked when he last saw Ribbit and he stated Sunday morning… I informed him that Ribbit was reported deceased on Saturday near his aunt's home. Garcia stated that he did not know she was deceased or missing.”
Roughly two weeks later, Garcia called APS and provided a different version of events:
“Garcia texted me a picture of Ribbit deceased at the bottom of a pool, Garcia stated that he picked up Ribbit and took her to the Crazyhorse address, he had left her unattended and found her at the bottom of the pool.”
Garcia also asked investigators to take down social media posts circulating his adoption photo.
“He stated that he saw posts on Facebook and requested that I remove them, I explained that The Animal Foundation and CCAPS did not post any images of him on Facebook or on any website… after TAF had learned that Ribbit was found deceased, they removed his image from Instagram, but the Facebook group had already saved the post.”
Channel 13 asked The Animal Foundation why they removed the photo of Garcia with Ribbit but did not receive a response.
Canela
Canela, a German shepherd, was found deceased on May 31, 2025, according to APS notes.
Days later, on June 3, Garcia went to The Animal Foundation to report her missing and deceased:
“He advised that she had escaped while he was working.”
Additional APS records, from June 1st provide further details, and show Garcia had been alerted about Canela's death two days before he reported it to The Animal Foundation.
“I arrived to 4680 E Lake Mead Blvd… I located the dog on the north side of the property behind a blue dumpster and covered by a blue sheet. I took photos of the dog and did not see any obvious sign of cruelty... I then called the Flavio Garcia, the gentlemen that fostered to adopt ‘Canela’. I announced who I was and asked if he had a dog named ‘Canela’ he advised he doesn’t speak English and passed me to a male. The male, later identified as Flavio's uncle, Franko Espinoza, advised the dog had gotten out a couple days ago and they had been looking for her and was just about to go to the shelter until they received my call. I asked if he knew how the dog escaped and he advised he believed the dog jumped the fence during the night as everything was secure when he woke up the next morning. Mr. Espinoza began advising that when Flavio would take ‘Canela’ on a walk she would try to run away from him. I advised the dog’s body will be taken to TAF, he stated he understood and advised we can call him anytime for further information.”
Records do not specify Canela’s cause of death, and no necropsy findings are detailed in the APS files. Garcia, however, remained the listed owner at the time of her death.
Calliope
The family’s third dog, Calliope, was surrendered to TAF on June 11th by Garcia’s uncle.
Response from The Animal Foundation
Channel 13 contacted The Animal Foundation on Tuesday after obtaining the report from APS to ask about the investigation involving Flavio Garcia. We asked:
- How does The Animal Foundation view this case and its outcome?
- Has the organization taken any steps in response to this incident?
- What safeguards are currently in place (or being considered) to prevent animals from ending up in neglectful or unsafe homes?
- Does TAF track how often adopted animals become subjects of cruelty or neglect investigations, and if so, are there recent statistics you can share?
- How does your team coordinate with APS or other agencies when concerns about adopters come up?
- Are there any upcoming changes or initiatives to strengthen adoption screening or follow-up practices?
On Wednesday, TAF responded saying:
"The Animal Foundation takes the welfare of our animals and the safety of their adoptive homes very seriously. In 2024 alone, we facilitated more than 10,000 adoptions, and while the vast majority of these pets go on to loving, responsible homes, we do decline some applications when individuals are found to be unsuitable. Every adopter is vetted, and we check Clark County Animal Protection Services (APS) notes as part of our screening process. Because we share a database with APS, The Animal Foundation is uniquely positioned to review background information that may indicate whether a person is appropriate to adopt an animal. In this particular case, the individual had no prior issues flagged by APS at the time of adoption. However, following this incident, the adopter has been permanently placed on our “Do Not Adopt” list."
The Foundation stressed that it is not an enforcement agency and defers to APS for cruelty or neglect investigations.
Where the investigation stands
According to APS records, Garcia was cited for animal cruelty, abandonment, and restraint violations. These are administrative citations carrying fines, not criminal charges. We have reached out to the county for clarification on why the investigation ended without further action.
APS investigators noted that cameras near the NAFB fence line may have been turned off at the time of Ribbit’s death:
“Unless video footage is provided, no further investigation will be pursued.”
No necropsy results are detailed in the APS report for either Ribbit or Canela.