Biscotti

Biscotti is an adoptable male Bullmastiff looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a young adult and large in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Biscotti, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 8/26/2026 08/26/26 13:41 Canine has shown resistance to returning to the kennel and associated concerning behaviors. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 8/31/26 to prevent further decline and allow for behavior evaluation in a new environment. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/1/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/17/2026 How long have you had the animal ? 4 DAYS. SOURCE STATED THEY SAW THE DOG CROSSING THE STREET. SOURCE APPROACHED DOG AND IT WAS BARKING AT HER. SOURCE OFFERED TREATS TO THE DOG AND DOG WARMED UP TO THEM. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 7TH ST AND BASELINE RD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NONE Is animal spayed/neutered? NO Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? YES, WHEN SOURCE WAS APPROACHING LOBBY DOOR WITH DOG, STAFF WENT OUT TO ASSIST IF SLIP LEAD WAS NEEDED. WHEN DOG SAW STAFF, DOG IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FLAGGING STATE AND BARKED AT STAFF MEMBER. SOURCE STATES DOG BARKS AND GROWLS ANYTIME IT SEES A NEW PERSON. THEY WILL HAVE TO GO OUT AND TRY TO CALM THE DOG DOWN. SOURCE STATED DOG WAS OBSERVED BARKING AND GROWLING AT SMALLER DOGS. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO Was this animal around any children? NO Did the animal interact with other animals? Cats? NO Dogs? YES, 1 LARGE DOG- DOG SNIFFED AND DIDN'T REACT MUCH TO LARGER DOG. SOURCE'S BROTHER ALSO HAS 3 SMALL DOGS, AND THIS DOG WAS REACTIVE TO THEM. DOG BARKED AND GROWLED AT THE SMALLER DOGS. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NONE Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NONE Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NONE Can the animal walk on a leash? NO Does the animal know any commands? NONE If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? N/A If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? BRICK WALL, CONTAINED PET How would you describe the animal’s energy level? HIGH ENERGY Any escapist behavior? YES Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? DOG TRIED TO PUSH OPEN BACKYARD GATE. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? NONE Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/23/2026 Dog was closed outside for cleaning, standing at front of kennel, slight wide eyes, tail wag. Sniffed treat through gate, did not take. Easy to leash. Walked with light pull, would slow, need some coaxing, then jump forward with loose body and wagging tail. Hackles raised when passing other dogs, able to direct onward with light leash pressure. In yard, dog approached second handler with wiggly body, leaned in, allowed all petting. Not very interested in treats but would take a few when offered. Dog ran zoomies around yard, approached first handler, jumped up with wide eyes, mouth open, closed mouth towards handler. Handler used light verbal correction, turned shoulder, dog disengaged and walked away. Allowed more petting, rolled over at handlers' feet. Jumped up a few more times, appeared slightly over-aroused but did respond to correction. Approached fence, stared at another dog in kennel across the way, flagged tail, forward posture. Growled, barked. Disengaged when called by handlers. Same walking style on return, tense body when passing kennels. At own kennel, dog would not enter, kept distance and pulled back on leash. Handler tried guiding dog forward; dog sat, pulled back firmly on leash, would not move. Handler walked dog away, tried again, dog resisted again, strong pull. Second handler used sort board to guide dog into kennel as first handler used moderate leash pressure. Once in kennel, handler was able to remove leash via clip lead. 8/22/2026 Closed outside for AM cleaning. Dog was sitting at kennel door, eyes wide, ignored treats. Backed away as handler opened door, slowly came forward with verbal coaxing and allowed leash placement. Easy walk to yard, ignored kenneled dogs, tail tucked, low posture, scanned surroundings. Once in yard dog crawled between handler's feet with wiggly body and wagging tail, front paws on lap, allowed petting all over, explored yard with neutral body, nose to ground, tail untucked, returned to handler soliciting more attention, ignored treats. Interested in tennis ball but wouldn't play fetch. Able to pick up leash and walk back to kennel, dog then froze, unable to coax in kennel, resisted when trying to guide with gentle leash pressure, eyes wide, panting heavily, scanning surroundings, softened with wagging tail when handler approached and pet, able to guide into kennel with firmer leash pressure, removed leash by hand. 8/21/2026 Closed out for AM cleaning. Laying at front of kennel; tense; hard staring; tossed treats; sniffed; stood up; slowly approached front; ate some treats; opened kennel door; handler placed large loop over while dog was eating treats; head flipped; bit at leash; secured leash; exited slowly; tense; hackles raised; flagged tail; walked with light to no pull; walked past dogs; started low growling; pulled towards kennels; used leash pressure to redirect; froze in place; continued walking. In yard, dog explored; hackles raised; tail flagged; alert ears; sniffing nose to ground; tossed treats; not interested; started to relax; approached handler; sniffed; continued to explore nearby; handler was able to reach out to pet lower back; tense; skin crawled; continued sniffing ground. After a few moments, dog approached handler; softened; low tail wags; leaned into handler's leg; allowed for petting; followed handler around in yard; interested in squeaker toy; sat; gave paw; started jumping up on handler; easily able to redirect off; noticed dogs in nearby building; hackles became raised; tail flagged; redirected attention away briefly; dog would go back to corner; briefly low growled; picked leash up; walked dog away; started jumping on handler; redirected off. Added clip leash; exited yard; hackles raised; tail flagged; stiff body walking past dogs; continued walking; noticed neighboring dog; started to approach kennel; handler stepped into kennel; applied leash pressure; did not enter; pulled back; froze; tossed treats; not interested; gave dog a few moments; tried again; unsuccessful; walked dog to inside of building; slowly walked in; stopped; door closed behind; dog fully entered building; handler entered kennel fully using leash pressure; handler exited; removed leash with clip leash. 8/17/2026 barked flagged tail at staff, when intake handler walked up initially bark from dog, allowed leash placement, walked in room, allowed some petting in room, allowed restraint when going slow, vaccines given, walked to kennel Name: Biscotti Animal ID: A5170144 Breed: GRAY/WHITE AM PIT BULL TER/MIX Sex: Male Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 60.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing F - 162 Intake Date: 8/17/2026 Deadline Date: 8/31/2026