Orson

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

Memo 8/28/2026 08/28/26 16:35 Canine is presenting with elevated reactivity and focus on other dogs during their time in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/2/26 to support ongoing behavioral evaluation and post-placement support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/3/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/28/2026 Upon kennel approach, k9 had soft-wiggly body and happy tail wags towards handler. Handler opened kennel and k9 allowed all petting. 8/26/2026 Laying in middle of kennel with neutral soft body, came forward to accept treats gently with wagging tail, allowed for easy leash placement at front of kennel. Exited kennel with some pulling, zig zag walking pattern with flagged tail and tense body, pulls to sniff dogs in passing, disengaged interactions quickly, no issues walking to play yard. Immediately upon entering kennel dog would begin to urinate for long duration of time, accepted pets when finished then went potty, paced around yard with flagged tail and tense body while marking around yard, would slowly pace along fence line facing towards dogs outside of yard with flagged tail, some chuffing towards the dogs, stiffens body and hard stares dogs, would not break focus as handler tried calling over/offering treats, dog only broke focus once handler approached in which dog had some wagging tail, able to direct dog away after a few moments by coaxing over. Would defecate a few times in yard before approaching handler with soft body, wagging tail, accepted treats gently. Knows \"SIT\", would spend rest of evaluation near handler accepting pets. Came to handler when called over to leave with soft neutral body. Exited with some pulling back to kennel, flagged tail and zig zag walking pattern when passing near dogs, will sniff non-reactive dogs with soft body but begins muzzle punching/chuffing/low growling towards reactive dogs while pulling hard towards kennels, able to direct away with no issues. Hesitant and resisted to enter kennel, began pulling hard towards neighboring dog with stiff body and flagged tail, will hard stare and low growl towards dog (dog in neighboring kennel was neutral, no reactivity). No interest in treats tossed into kennel, did not initially follow handler into kennel when handler stepped into kennel at first but dog did come forward as handler was in kennel after a moment. Dog was heavy panting, wide eyed, flagged tail wag when removing leash by hand, no issues recovering leash. 8/22/2026 Dog was closed inside for cleaning, standing at front of kennel with soft face, wagging tail. Eagerly accepted treats through gate. Handler cracked gate open, dog pushed hard against it a couple times, able to be contained, easy to leash. Exited with burst of energy, pulled hard towards door. Did not react to neighboring dogs. Outside, dog walked with strong pull, hackles raised and tail flagged when passing empty kennels, noticed one calm dog, looked towards them and slowed, then continued walking. No issues directing to play yard. Dog explored independently, relieved self several times. Approached handler when called, soft face, allowed all petting. Ate treats tossed nearby. Occasionally whined while looking outside of yard, remained affiliative with handler. Moderate pull on return. When entering kennel wing, dog pulled towards non-reactive dog across the way while whining, flagged wagging tail. Handler was able to pull dog away, then neighboring dog began alarm barking, attempting to fence fight. This dog pulled towards neighbor, hackles raised, whining, brief low growl. Difficult to redirect towards own kennel as dog would alternate pulling between other two dogs. Handler got dog's attention with treat bag, tossed treats into kennel, dog stepped in. Handler gave dog a moment to settle, then removed leash by hand. 8/21/2026 Dog was lying at kennel door, soft body and wagging tail, took treats. Easy to leash, moderate pull to yard, felt growling through leash when walking by reactive dogs, no attempts to interact. Explored yard, neutral body, softened with wagging tail when handler walked nearby, able to approach and pet, became alert, growled and whined briefly when noticing kenneled dogs on other side of fence, quickly lost interest and continued exploring. Dog approached handler, allowed petting all over, sat and gave paw for treats, grabby when taking, offered from palm of hand. Moderate pull back, growled and pulled towards reactive kenneled dogs, tense body, flagged tail, used firm leash pressure to continue walking, once in building dog became focused on neighboring dog, handler stepped in kennel, used verbal coaxing and treats to redirect, dog entered kennel when handler tossed treats on floor, able to exit and remove leash by hand. 8/19/2026 Requesting full evaluation based on intake notes. 8/18/2026 k9 allowed all handling and scanning prior to being picked up. K9 was not happy about being picked up. muzzle wrapped to load. Once on truck k9 tried to push past officer. 8/18/2026 resists being picked up, moderate restraint for vaccines, walks on leash, placing yellow due to resisting being picked up, attempts to flee, allows muzzle wrapping, soft body, solicits attention, takes treats gently Name: Orson Animal ID: A5170154 Breed: GRAY/WHITE AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Male Age: 5Y 0M Weight: 89.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing F - 199 Intake Date: 8/18/2026 Deadline Date: 9/2/2026