Elijah

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

Memo 8/26/2026 08/26/26 11:47 Canine has shown over-arousal and is difficult to manage safely while in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 8/31/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/1/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/18/2026 How long have you had the animal ? 3 DAYS. SOURCE STATED THEY WERE WALKING TO STORE AND DOG WALKED UP TO SOURCE, SOURCE STATED DOG WAS VERY FRIENDLY WITH THEM What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 43rd Ave & Bethany Home 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? NO Is animal spayed/neutered? UNK Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO Was this animal around any children? NO, ONLY ADULTS (5 ADULTS) Did the animal interact with other animals? SOURCE STATED DOG WAS AROUND THEIR 3 DOGS (CHIHUAHUA, YORKSHIRE TERRIER, DOBERMAN) AND 1 CAT Cats? SOURCE STATED A5170205 WAS NOT REACTIVE WITH THE CAT AND TOLERATED IT Dogs? SOURCE STATED A5170205 WAS NOT REACTIVE WITH THEIR DOGS AND TOLERATED IT Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? N/A Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? N/A Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO Can the animal walk on a leash? YES Does the animal know any commands? SOURCE STATED DOG APPEARS TO NEED PATIENCE WITH COMMANDS LIKE SIT If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? YES, FREE ROAM AND KENNELED. SOURCE STATED DOG DID FINE IN KENNEL BUT PREFERED FREE ROAM If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? 6 FT BLOCK FENCING, CONTAINED DOG How would you describe the animal’s energy level? MEDIUM ENERGY Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SOURCE STATED DOG IS GOOD IN CARS, DOG APPEARS FEARFUL OF WATER. SOURCE STATED DOG APPEARED VERY CALM AND FRIENDLY TOWARDS PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/26/2026 Dog was closed to back half of kennel during AM cleaning. Would start to alarm bark while curling lips & flashing teeth with a low growl & ears pinned back. Offered treats, dog would slowly approach gate for treats. Handler would wait for dogs ears to be neutral & dog to settle while kennel flirting with more treats then presented leash. Dog would start to low growl while curling lips & pinning ears back once leash was inserted into kennel. Handler would scatter a jackpot amount of treats then lured dog into leash placement with additional treats through gate. Walked with a strong pull on leash to main PY. Would flip head when handler would adjust leash stopper, no contact made, dog would do a shake off of body then start to pace along fence line while panting heavy with ears erect & a flagged tail. Would run towards handler, jump up while air snapping, handler would side step while tossing treats in opposite direction. Dog would circle handler while jumping up towards handlers face, handler would keep moving in random directions then toss a jackpot amount of treats away from body. Dog would find all treats then continue to pace along fence line while panting heavy. Handler would pick up toys, would not be interested in toys. Would start to push on PY entrance gate, handler would attempt to pick up leash, dog would air snap towards hands, handler removed hands & walked dog to airlock gate. Scattered treats into airlock then attempted to pick up leash, dog would start to jump up towards handlers face air snapping, handler would quickly turn body then scattered more treats on ground. Able to pick up leash, dog would start to bite & pull back on leash while walking to entrance gate, quickly settled. Walked back to kennel with a strong pull on leash, able to attach clip leash while walking, would not enter into kennel without treats being tossed into kennel. Removed leash with use of clip leash. 8/22/2026 Closed inside for AM cleaning. Dog was standing at kennel door, tense body, stared at handler, eagerly took treats, low tail wags as handler spoke to dog. Avoidant of leash, retreated with ears pinned, side eyed, tail tucked, slowly came forward with coaxing, able to lure dog through leash loop with more treats, retreated and shook head while securing leash. Dog exited kennel, zigzagged, erratic when walking through building, settled and walked with hard pull, ignored kenneled dogs. Ran around yard, high energy, tense with wagging tail, interested in rope toy, would jump up to take toy from handler, mouthed hand instead, jumpy for treats, snappy when taking, offered from palm of hand, mouthy when pet. Over time dog settled, approached with soft body with wagging tail, leaned into handler and allowed petting all over, would turn head towards hand when petting back end, no contact made, open mouth pant, tongue lolled, eyes wide. Handler picked up leash, dog grabbed leash briefly, walked with moderate pull back to kennel, easy return, removed leash by hand. 8/21/2026 Dog was at front of kennel, ears back, slight tense body. Began alarm barking at handler, circled in kennel. Handler tossed treats into kennel, dog accepted, would look up and bark at handler while eating. Handler crouched down, used \"baby-talk\" coaxing, offered more treats. Dog began settling, some tension in body, wagged tail, accepted treats. Retreated when leash was presented, flinched at contact. Handler used treat jackpot to distract dog, then was able to place leash. Dog exited kennel, pulled hard on leash, panting, wagging tail, erratic movements. Handler guided dog to door with light leash pressure, keeping leash short. Once outside, dog walked with strong pull, alert, panting. Thrashed briefly when entering yard, then settled. Handler walked dog on leash for a few moments before dropping it. Dog explored independently, high energy, would run laps around yard. Mostly kept distance from handler but would follow them when called. Easily distracted, took a few treats from hand. Skin-crawled heavily when touched on back, flipped head back, then settled once handler pulled away. Leash had slipped off of dog; handler placed new leash while dog had paws up on gate. Dog thrashed head as leash was adjusted, pulled back on leash, then settled. After a few more minutes, dog ran up to handler with wagging tail, open mouth. Jumped back up onto gate. Handler petted dog on top of head, dog head-flipped back towards handler, jumped off of fence and continued running around yard. Handler called dog back to gate, retrieved leash. Dog exited yard, began pulling away from handler, thrashed briefly on leash. Settled when coaxed, followed handler. Strong pull on return to kennel. Entered own kennel with light direction. Leash removed via clip lead. 8/18/2026 K9 walked into triage room no issue, once leash pressure was applied k9 began to thrash and jump around room. K9 flinched when handlers would touch body. Used muzzle wrap and moderate restraint for vaccines. K9 erratic when leash pressure applied when walking Name: Elijah Animal ID: A5170205 Breed: WHITE/BLACK BULL TERRIER/MIX Sex: Male Age: 3Y 0M Weight: 50.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 155 Intake Date: 8/18/2026 Deadline Date: 8/31/2026