Athena

Athena is an adoptable female Tibetan Mastiff looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is fully grown and x-large in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Athena, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 8/27/2026 08/27/26 14:51 Canine has a history of concerning behavior in previous home environment that may reoccur in future placements. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 9/1/26 to provide appropriate behavior management and post-adoption support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/2/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/27/2026 08/27/26 14:54 Per activity/OS notes: Source stated the dog had tried to bite their kids, so they put the dog on their balcony for it to calm down. They took the dog off the balcony and brought it down to their vehicle to bring the dog in for an adoption return. The dog got away from them and they chased the dog around the parking lot. After catching the dog, source then was leading the dog to their vehicle. When source got to their vehicle, the dog started to bite the leash. When source tried to get the dog to stop biting the leash, the dog began to pull back and source stated they let go of the leash. The dog then ran away again and source did not chase after. Dog was found several miles away at an apartment complex. Apartment management said someone broke into a vacant unit and when maintenance went in they found the massive dog dragging a leash and wearing a cone on its head. They said the dog ran out and was growling at them and they were unable to get it back in. They said the dog left the unit and they hadn't seen it in about an hour. ASO walked around the complex and found the dog with a woman who said it approached her with bloody paws. She took its cone off and called for help. 8/25/2026 What is the reason for surrender? DOG BIT 4 YEAR OLD ON ARM, DID NOT BREAK SKIN. How long have you had your pet? 1 WEEK Where did you get this animal from? MCACC Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES 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 We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? N/A Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? YES, DOG BIT 4 YEAR OLD WHEN THE CHILD TRIED TO PET THE DOG. DOG MADE CONTACT, BUT DID NOT BREAK SKIN. DOG AIR SNAPPED AT SOURCE'S BROTHER WHEN SOURCE'S BROTHER TRIED TO PICK DOG UP OFF OF GROUND WHILE ON A WALK. DOG ALSO AIR SNAPPED AT SOURCE WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO GIVE THE DOG MEDS WITH LUNCH MEAT. SOURCE STATED THE DOG SPAT OUT THE MEAT AND SOURCE WENT TO PICK IT UP AND DOG AIR SNAPPED AT HIM. Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? N/A Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? N/A Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? YES, AIR SNAPPED AT SOURCE AND SOURCE'S BROTHER. BIT CHILD ON ARM, BUT DID NOT BREAK SKIN. SOURCE ALSO STATED THE DOG WOULD BARK AND LUNGE AT OTHER DOGS WHEN ON A WALK. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? YES, 6 MONTHS- 4 YEARS OLD Please describe behavior around children? DOG ALLOWED PETTING FROM CHILDREN, BUT AFTER SOME TIME DOG DID NOT WANT HANDLING FROM CHILDREN. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 4 MEMBERS IN HOUSEHOLD. DOG WAS FRIENDLY WITH SOURCE'S PARTNER AND SOURCE. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? NO Dogs? YES, REACTIVE TOWARDS OTHER DOGS. BARKS AND LUNGES TOWARDS OTHER DOGS. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NO Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NO Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? DOG AIR SNAPPED AT SOURCE'S HAND WHEN HE TRIED TO RETRIEVE FOOD THE DOG DROPPED. Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? NO Leash trained? YES, BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN DOG WILL NOT MOVE Knows commands? SIT Where was this animal kept? INSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NONE Last vaccinations / last vet visit? N/A How would you describe your pet's energy level? CALM AND RELAXED Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? STORMS, WILL BARK What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? NONE Any escapist behavior? NONE Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NONE Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SOURCE STATES DOG SHOULD NOT BE AROUND CHILDREN. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/27/2026 Updating color due to NHO status. 8/26/2026 Upon approach, the canine was observed lying in a lateral position on the outer portion of the kennel. When handlers opened the kennel, the canine remained in the same position and did not attempt to rise or reposition. Handlers initiated gentle petting and verbal interaction; the canine showed no change in posture or movement. The first handler applied a leash, lifting the canine’s head, off the ground, to complete placement. A muzzle wrap was applied as a precaution. The second handler administered a vaccine in the right front shoulder, and the canine exhibited no reaction. After vaccination, the first handler removed the muzzle wrap and again lifted the canine’s head to remove the leash. Throughout the entire interaction, the canine remained lying in the original position without movement or resistance. 8/25/2026 Day 1: During AM walk through, handler observed that K-9 did not eat half of kibble offered. K-9 was laying down in front of kennel door. 8/25/2026 Laying at front of kennel with neutral body, stood and leaned into kennel door as handler baby talked, would accept treat gently. Easy leash placement at front of kennel, exited with easy leash pull to sick yard, no reactivity to dogs in passing. Once in yard dog would shake off, loose tail wag, followed handler to chair and began leaning into handlers leg for pets, accepted pets all over. Would go potty and explore briefly before making way to handler, would roll over and lay on handlers feet with belly exposed, accepted pets all over. Followed handler around yard closely, knows \"SIT\" and \"PAW\". Easy return to kennel, easy leash pull, walked into kennel on own, allowed handler to rummage thru hair to remove leash by hand with no issues. 8/24/2026 Requesting full eval due to OS note. 8/22/2026 Dog way laying on ground in shade with bloody paws recieving affection from a female citizen who removed dog's post-surgery cone for me. Dog allowed me to approach and pet and place leash. Eyes hardened with some lip licking when I adjusted leash. There was food present. When I tried to get her to walk, she rolled on her back and refused to cooperate. Once I got her onto her feet she walked great on leash and allowed me to pick up and place on truck without any issue. 8/22/2026 walks on leash, allows all handling and petting, timid, staring at handler at times 8/15/2026 Closed outside for AM cleaning. Dog approached handler, head low, neutral body, took treats. Easy to leash, dog exited kennel then froze, tried pulling handler behind H building. Handler gave dog a moment to settle, wouldn't follow handler with verbal coaxing, sat against fence, eyes wide, panting, tried using treat trail but dog wasn't interested, handler opened gate wide and stood off to the side, dog pancaked and rolled onto back, allowed handler to approach and pet, dog then stood, followed handler through gate with verbal coaxing and leash pressure, no issues walking to yard, ignored kenneled dogs. Affiliative with handler, leaned into handler's legs, rested head on lap and allowed petting all over, soft body and wagging tail. Rolled onto back and allowed belly rubs, had zoomies around yard, able to pick up leash, hesitant to walk through yard gate, pulled back on leash and pancaked, after a moment followed handler with verbal coaxing, walked to room with no issues, entered room and allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 8/15/2026 Out for potty break. Dog came to life room door, soft face and body, ducked head into leash, exited calmly. Dog walked loose leash, no issues directing past customers and staff. Alert to reactive small dogs but did not stop or attempt to engage. In yard, dog explored yard with relaxed body language. Relieved self several times. Approached handlers, leaned in for petting, allowed all touch, rolled over onto back to seek attention. No issues on return, dog entered life room calmly, allowed leash removal by hand. 8/14/2026 Dog was at front of kennel, soft face, gentle tail wag. Gently accepted treats through gate. Easy to leash. Exited calmly, no reaction to neighboring dogs. Outside, dog walked mostly loose leash, frequent stop and go to sniff, needed some light leash pressure to continue. Easily startled by loud noises, jumped back, returned to baseline quickly. In yard, dog spent first several minutes exploring yard, sniffing, relieved self. Approached handlers after a few more moments, leaned in, allowed all full-body petting, allowed handlers to gently pull away shedding undercoat. Accepted treats gently from hand. Dog leaned against handler's legs, began sliding down to rest on side, allowed more petting. Some resistance on leash on return but able to be coaxed onward. Would not enter kennel building, pulled back. Handler tried returning dog to outside kennel, dog continued to pull away, strong resistance on leash, no interest in treat trail. Handlers walked dog away for a moment to settle, dog allowed more petting. Handler quickly walked dog back to kennel, used moderate strong-arm to guide dog in. Handler closed gate, dog pushed snout against it. Handler used clip lead to loosen leash due to dog's thick coat, then was able to remove it by hand. 8/13/2026 Sitting at front of kennel, stoic face and body. Handler spoke softly, crouched. Dog pressed side against gate as if to seek attention, remained stoic. 8/12/2026 Dog is good with men but has growled at several women when approached in kennel. I approached lafter and the dog greated me and allowed petting and taking off the leash. updating to orange for EET review 8/12/2026 Approached handler with neutral soft body, sniffed with some tail wags. Needs full evaluation based on prior OBSERVATION note. 8/11/2026 Lip licking, ears down. Friendlier with male officer. Loaded on to truck with leash and no restaint. 8/11/2026 walks on leash, takes treats gently, soft wiggly body, allows all handling and petting, mild restraints for vaccines Name: Athena Animal ID: A5169824 Breed: BLACK/GRAY TIBETAN MASTIFF/ANATOL SHEPHERD Sex: Spayed Age: 6Y 0M Weight: 91.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing S - 311 Intake Date: 8/22/2026 Deadline Date: 9/1/2026