Inside California's brutal underground market for puppies: Neglected dogs, deceived owners, big profits

An Adorable Dog Named Hero Is The Secret Star Of The New Dylan O'Brien Movie Love And Monsters

A dog named Hero is playing a hero dog in a new movie from Paramount arriving on premium video on demand and for digital purchase on Oct 16.

Hero, an Australian Kelpie, plays the role of Boy in Love and Monsters, an action-adventure movie also starring Dylan O'Brien as Joel Dawson — a young man who survives the Monsterpocalypse and decides to leave the safety of his underground colony to journey through a dangerous, creature-infested world to reunite with his high school sweetheart. While on this daring quest, Joel meets Boy, a dog who is also trying to survive on his own, and they join forces to keep each other safe.

PEOPLE has an exclusive clip on what it was like for Hero and the rest of the cast behind the scenes of Love and Monsters, and it is clear that it is not only O'Brien's character that is smitten with the dog. The human actor and the canine performer quickly built an "incredibly intense" bond on set, according to Zelie Bullen, the lead dog trainer on the film, who also added that while Hero is the principal canine actor in Love and Monsters, dog doubles worked on the movie as well so Hero always had time to relax.

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures

"In all my years of doing what we do, it is probably the strongest real-life, off-camera bond that we have had with one of the animals and one of the actors," Bullen adds in the clip about the friendship between Hero and O'Brien.

Pet lovers can see Hero the professional actor at work alongside O'Brien in Paramount's Love and Monsters when it comes out on Oct. 16 on premium video on demand and for digital purchase.

Zinna, Gene Hackman's Australian Kelpie Dog Likely Died Of Starvation And Dehydration, Per Necropsy Report

The more the mystery unfolds, the more heartbreaking it becomes. Zinna, the pet dog belonging to actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, was found dead along with the couple in their New Mexico home last month. A newly released necropsy report indicates that Zinna, an Australian Kelpie mix, likely died from starvation and dehydration.

The tragic end: According to officials, Zinna was discovered dead in a crate about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa's body when the couple was found on February 26. The necropsy report from the Santa Fe Animal Control stated there was "severe postmortem decomposition with partial mummification." It noted that there was no evidence of infection, trauma, or poisoning that could have led to the dog's death. The report indicated that the dog's stomach was "mostly empty except for very small amounts of hair and bile," suggesting that Zinna was in a confined space without access to food or water, which likely resulted in her dehydration and starvation.

What happened to Gene Hackman? On February 26, 2025, Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three dogs were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The discovery was made during a wellness check after a maintenance worker, concerned that the couple had not answered the door, called local security for assistance. The maintenance workers had last communicated with the couple two weeks prior to the discovery.Deputies found Hackman's body in the foyer in a decomposed state and Arakawa's body similarly decomposed in a bathroom, with prescription medications scattered nearby. These medications were for high blood pressure and thyroid conditions. One of their dogs, an Australian Kelpie, was found dead in a kennel inside a bathroom closet near Arakawa, while the couple's two other dogs were still alive on the property. A deputy noted that it appeared Hackman had "suddenly fallen," with signs suggesting a similar fate for Arakawa.On February 27, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department announced that there was no evidence of foul play but did not reveal the specific time or cause of death. They initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The fire department found no signs of a carbon monoxide leak, and subsequent tests showed the remains tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning. Early autopsy results indicated no external trauma on either body. On February 28, a sheriff revealed that data from Hackman's pacemaker indicated his heart stopped on February 17.During a press conference in Santa Fe on March 7, police and the chief medical examiner disclosed that Hackman died on February 18 from severe heart disease complicated by advanced Alzheimer's disease and kidney disease. Arakawa likely died a week earlier, on February 11, from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, as Hackman may not have been aware of what had happened due to his Alzheimer's. The pacemaker recorded an abnormal rhythm on February 18, likely marking the time of Hackman's death. Furthermore, his stomach was completely empty, indicating he had not eaten for days, possibly due to his mental condition.The scattered pills found near Arakawa's body were prescribed for her thyroid condition but did not contribute to her death.

What happened to Betsy Arakawa? As for Betsy Arakawa, her last known interactions occurred on February 11. According to Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza, she had a brief email exchange with her massage therapist that morning and later visited a Sprouts Farmers Market, CVS pharmacy, and a dog food store before returning to her gated community around 5:15 p.M. After that, there was seemingly no further known activity or outgoing communication from her. Sheriff Mendoza noted that numerous emails were unopened on her computer as of February 11.Although authorities are still piecing together the timeline of events, it has been confirmed that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare illness caused by infection through contact with rodents, as explained by Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical examiner for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. Dr. Jarrell stated that the pills found near Arakawa's body were prescription thyroid medication and unrelated to her death. Zinna, the couple's dog, was found dead in a crate near Arakawa's body, and based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Arakawa passed away first.

Hackman Case: Investigation Into Mysterious Death of Dog Unveils Startling Findings

Bodycam Footage From Gene Hackman's Home Shows Dog Guarding Betsy Arakawa Even After Her Death

Warning: Graphic content, readers' discretion advised. 

SANTA FE, MEXICO: As investigations into the tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, unfold, a haunting new video has emerged from their Santa Fe home.

The bodycam footage released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, April 15, captures a heartbreaking scene, the couple's dog standing guard over Arakawa's lifeless body, a powerful display of loyalty that left fans deeply moved and praising the pet's devotion until the very end.

The 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor and his 65-year-old wife were discovered on February 26, after security personnel noticed something amiss through a window and immediately contacted authorities.

Bodycam footage shows Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's dog sitting near her body

In the heartbreaking footage, one of the couple's German shepherds stood watch over Betsy Arakawa's lifeless body, a quiet symbol of loyalty, as per People.

The couple's dog, a kelpie mix named Zinnia, was found dead in a crate inside a closet near the body of Arakawa. A necropsy report revealed Zinna likely died of dehydration and starvation. 

Their other two dogs, Nikita and Bear, were discovered alive, roaming the property.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa are seen on November 16, 2001, in Los Angeles, California (Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

In the blurred footage, deputies are seen entering a part of the home near the bathroom, where Arakawa's body was found. One of the surviving dogs sat nearby, visibly emotional.

"She's guarding her," one officer remarked, before adding, "Seems pretty friendly." "Poor guy, he's sad," another investigator said, reflecting the somber mood in the room.

As officers moved through the home, they could hear another dog barking and running in the distance.

According to authorities, Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease caused by hantavirus exposure, as per the Daily Mail.

Hackman, who was believed to have remained alone in the house for days after her death, died from a combination of severe heart disease, hypertension, and advanced Alzheimer's. 

While Betsy Arakawa's body was blurred out for privacy, the video clearly reveals bottles of medication and various toiletries scattered across the bathroom counter (Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office)

The couple's surviving dogs, Nikita and Bear, have been rehomed, as per the statement of a personal representative for Hackman and Arakawa's estates. 

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's house was in disarray

While Betsy Arakawa's body was blurred out for privacy, the video clearly reveals bottles of medication and various toiletries scattered across the bathroom counter.

As deputies continued through the $4 million Santa Fe mansion, they encountered piles of clothing, documents, photographs, and other personal belongings strewn throughout multiple rooms. Their search led them to the other side of the home, where Hackman's body was found.

"It looks like he was trying to go outside," one deputy remarked after locating Hackman's body in the mudroom area.

Officials encountered piles of clothing, documents, photographs, and other personal belongings strewn throughout multiple rooms in the couple's Santa Fe house (Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office)

An investigator's report described the scene in chilling detail: "I observed the the male's extremities to be red and purple in color, the male appeared to be stiff, and his mouth was open. I also observed a pair of black sunglasses to the to the left on the male that were on the ground."

"To the right of the male I observed a black in color walking cane. It appeared as if the male suddenly collapsed," they added. 

Internet emotional as footage shows Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's dog guarding her body

The bodycam footage from Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's home left netizens emotional, with many commenting on how the couple's dog loyally protected Arakawa even after her death. 

A Facebook user wrote, "Loyal to the end," and another said, "This situation is so sad."

A person expressed, "What a good pup. So sad," whereas someone else declared, "Dogs are better than most humans."

"My heart breaks for that dog. He is in mourning it's obvious. Sitting by his owner. Tells me she was a good person. I pray these 2 dogs have a good person watching them now," another comment read. 

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online

---