Rocket

Rocket is an adoptable male Miniature Pinscher looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. He is senior and small in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Rocket, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 8/26/2026 08/26/26 12:53 Due to a prior near bite and related circumstances, canine requires placement in a secure, well-managed environment. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 8/31/26 to ensure appropriate behavioral support and reduce risk of recurrence. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/1/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/22/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE STATES DOES NOT HAVE THE TIME AND PROPER SPACE FOR PET How long have you had your pet? 2 MONTHS Where did you get this animal from? MCACC Is your pet spayed/neutered? NEUTERED Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NO We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? NO Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? NO Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? NO Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? DOES CHASE CATS, BUNNYS, BIRDS, DOES GROWL AND BARK AT STRANGERS. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? 15 YEAR OLD FEMALE Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 1 ADULT MALE, GROWL AND BARK WHEN FIRST COMES HOME ONCE SETTLES IN FRIENDLY, AND LOVING. 1 ADULT FEMALE VERY FRIENDLY AND LOVING AND 1 CHILD FEMALE, VERY FRIENDLY AND LOVING. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? DOES NOT LIKE WILL CHASE Dogs? SMALL AND LARGE BREED VERY HESITANT CAN BE NICE WITH OTHERS BUT ALSO WILL GROWL OR BARK WITH OTHERS Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? BUNNYS WILL CHASE Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? BIRDS WILL CHASE Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO Is the animal house-trained? NO, DOES CHEW ON FRUNITURE AND CLOTHING Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? NO, WORKING ON IT Leash trained? YES Knows commands? SIT Where was this animal kept? INSIDE Last vaccinations / last vet visit? ON FILE How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH ENERGY Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? THUNDER AND LIGHTLY BUT DOESNT BARK Any escapist behavior? YES WILL RUN OUT THE DOOR Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? NEEDS ATTENTION, LAP DOG, WILL BE GOOD WITH THE RIGHT PERSON AND WHO CAN HADNLE AND TRAIN TEMPERMENT. 4/26/2026 How long have you had the animal? 3 HOURS. SOURCE STATES PET WAS WALKING DOWN ROAD. SOURCE WAS ABLE TO CALL DOG OVER AND PICK DOG UP. Has the animal been around other animals? What kind of animals? How would you describe the interaction with other animals? NO Was the animal around any other people or children? If yes, how would you describe the animals behavior towards other people/children? NOT AROUND CHILDREN. SOURCE STATES DOG HAS BEEN SKITTISH. Has the animal shown any aggression around other people? Might want to include a few examples of what aggression looks like. Barking, growling, lunging, etc.? If yes, what were the circumstances? NO Did you keep the animal inside or outside? OUTSIDE IN YARD. SOURCE STATES DOG EXPLORED HIS YARD. If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam? Was the animal destructive in any way? NO DESTRUCTION IN YARD If outside, what kind of fencing do you have and did it contain the animal? BLOCK WALL, CHAIN LINK, AND WOOD PANEL FENCING, WELL-CONTAINED Did the animal show any aggression, like **growling, curling their lips, lunging** around food, toys, or bones? NO Has the animal shown any signs of illness? NO Does the animal walk on a leash? UNKNOWN. SOURCE KEPT DOG IN A CRATE FOR TRANSPORT TO MCACC. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/26/2026 Handler approached kennel back; Dog was outside for PM cleaning; Handler greeted and dog had ears alert; neutral bodied; handler called by name and dog began to wag tail; Handler cracked door and held leash in opening; Dog stood near opening; wagging tail wars alert; Handler squatted and placed leash over head with ease; Dog walked to yard with mild to loose leash pull; ignored dogs in passing; entered yard; Handler knelt down to secure leash; Did some petting for a few minutes and dropped leash; Dog walked around yard sniffing around; Shortly later urinating; Dog walked around; Another handler was in passing of yard; Dog walked up to fence line and greeted sniffing towards handler; allowed light petting through fence line; Dog followed along fence line every time handler walked by; Dog was wagging tail; calm; ears alert; Handler was sitting on bench would call over to dog; dog would allow petting in passing; handler would pet dog lightly; Dog seemed unphased; A little timid when approaching too quickly or standing over head reaching over but with slow approaches dog opens up quickly; handler tried treats and toys ; dog wasn't interested; Dog walked yard and explored a few more minutes; Handler called by name and dog came up solicited petting very briefly and stood near handler for remainder of evaluation; Handler called over to dog; Dog followed handler to catch pin and allowed leash grab; walked with same mild pull back to kennel; Handler held onto leash trying to spray out kennel before placing dog back in; Dog stood near handler patiently as handler cleaned back of kennel; surrounding dogs reactive but this dog remained calm wagging tail; scanning surroundings; Once done handler called by name and leash guided to kennel'; dog went in and unleashed by hand with no issues; 8/26/2026 Updating color due to NHO status. 8/25/2026 Dog was locked in back kennel for cleaning. Handler approached back kennel, dog was seated in kennel and greeted handler at gate. Handler offered treat, dog sniffed but dog not eat. Dog then jumped up on gate, handler was able to drape large loop over head and secure. Once secured handler opened gate dog walked with mild pull to PY. Once in PY handler adjusted leash stopper without issue and released dog, handler attached leash extension due to large yard. Handler sat on bench and dog surveyed PY independently for entire evaluation. Handler attempted to call dog over but dog was no interested. Dog walked perimeter of yard pacing with tense posture, low tail carry and alert ears. Dog was panting the entire time. Handler approached dog after about 5 minutes, dog briefly softened and then returned to alert. Handler walked dog over to bench and sat down. Handler tried to offer pets, dog allowed pets but did not solicit. Handler attached clip leash due to low visibility in back kennels and walked dog back to kennel Dog entered kennel with light leash pressure. Handler removed leash using clip leash and offered a few more treat and walked away. 8/22/2026 Owner reports he lunged and attempted to bite while in her care. Dog was nervous in lobby, had owner hand dog to handler in a towel. Able to carry dog in towel to triage, vaccinate with moderate restraint. Does walk on leash. Orange due to history review. 5/2/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in treats, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Rocket trembled in corner when gate opened. Stepped in a dropped large loop leash. Walks well. Wary of a couple things outside on walk but easy to move along with him. Stayed away from handler in yard. Very easy to unleash inside new kennel. 5/2/2026 m&g 4/30/2026 Handler approached; Dog was hesitant; timid; retreats to back; soft stare and licks lips; handler stood for a few and dog slowly came up and sniffed handlers hand; allows light petting and walks away; ** Due to current kennel presence and previous notes; Placing dog to intake color yellow.** 4/26/2026 hesitant of leash but allowed leashing, had to coax onto scale, allowed to be picked up, avoidant but allowed all handling, minimal restraint for vaccines, walked to kennel on leash, entered willingly, allowed leash removal Name: Rocket Animal ID: A5163733 Breed: BLACK/BROWN MIN PINSCHER/MIX Sex: Neutered Age: 8Y 7M Weight: 16.8 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing B - 104 Intake Date: 8/22/2026 Deadline Date: 8/31/2026