Castor

Castor 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 6 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Castor, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/1/2026 09/01/26 12:21 Canine has shown inconsistent responses to handlers, including episodes of behavior escalation. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/8/26 to prevent further progression and support ongoing evaluation. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/9/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/24/2026 How long have you had the animal ? FOUND 8/23/26 ; FINDER SHARES THAT THIS DOG APPROACHED HER SON AS HE WAS GETTING HOME, SHE SHARES THE DOG WAS VERY FRIENDLY ON APPROACH AND ALLOWED PETTING AND HANDLING What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 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 - SOLID STOOL Is animal spayed/neutered? Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NOTHING NOTED; WHILE STAFF WAS ATTEMPTING TO SCAN FOR A CHIP, THE DOG FIRST ALLOWED AND THEN WAS OBSERVED TO HARD STARE AND SHOWED HI TEETH, STAFF NOTES A LOW GROWL Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? Was this animal around any children? NO CONTACT WITH CHILDREN Did the animal interact with other animals? NO INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER ANIMALS Cats? Dogs? OBSERVED TO BARK AT OTHER DOGS IN THE INTAKE LOBBY - VOCAL WHINES Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? THE DOG WAS OBSERVED TO LOW GROWL DURING FEEDING AT THE SOURCE'S SON Can the animal walk on a leash? YES - APPEARS LEASH TRAINED, FAMILIAR WITH HARNESS Does the animal know any commands? SIT If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAMING If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? BLOCK WALL How would you describe the animal’s energy level? MELLOW Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SOURCE SHARES THAT THE DOG IS SWEET AND SEEKS ATTENTION, HE LOVES BELLY RUBS ESPECIALLY Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/1/2026 DNE day one. Tail wagging, soliciting attention. 8/28/2026 At front of kennel with soft body, tail wagging, and ate tossed treats. Allowed for easy leashing; exited kennel; walking past kennels; dog would freeze; became stiff; tail flagged; continued walking; would turn head back to look at handler. In yard, dog relaxed; explored; soft; open mouth; urinated; defecated; approached handler; sniffed; soft; tail wagging; handler would not interact; dog walked away; continued to explore; handler walked around in yard; dog followed; jumped up; offered treat; grabby with treat; tried to pet; dog had open mouth; would jump up; explored; brief soft whines; picked up leash; thrashed leash in mouth; eventually let go of leash; approached handler; tried luring into sit; not interested; tossed treat; dog went after treat. Handler sat in chair; dog approached; tried petting; briefly became tense; relaxed once handler stopped petting; approached; picked leash up; walked to catch pen; pulled stopper up; dog head flipped; muzzle made contact with handler's hand (no teeth); gave dog a few moments; tried petting lower back; dog would head flip; exited yard. Walking past kennels dog would walk along kennels then moved away placing handler between kennels and dog. Dog froze; walked slowly; tense; flagged tail; straight armed to keep dog walking; continued walking; settled once past kennels; relaxed; entered kennel; soft; tail wagging; allowed handler to remove leash. 8/27/2026 Greeted handler at front of kennel with wagging tail, soft wiggly body, accepted treats grabby. Easy leash placement at front of kennel, exited with strong pull, startled and flinched when passing by reactive dogs in passing, flagged wagging tail, showed interest in dogs in passing yards and will pull hard to sniff fence, flagged tail and tense bodied, had to use slight leash pressure to guide dog away fence. Once in yard dog would shake off, began sniffing intensely with flagged wagging tail and tense body, will come to handler when called over and accept pets, some leaning in for pets with softer body and loose tail wag but when offered treats dog will have moments of hard staring/stiffening up when touched while eating, repeated this a few times during evaluation. Grabby with treats, recommend offering treats with open palm. Interested in dog in neighboring yard with flagged tail wag and some barking/whining but will flinch and lower tail when walking along fence line near reactive dogs outside of yard. Followed handler around yard with more softer body and loose tail wag, knows \"SIT\", would accept pets throughout evaluation and leans in for pets but has moments of becoming whale eye, quickly stiffens up when petted but will quickly recover when not petting. Attempted to mark on handler as handler sat on bench. Came to handler when called over to leave, exited with strong pull back to kennel. Easy return, walked into kennel on own and allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 8/24/2026 hard stare at staff for scanning. in room wagging tail, approached handlers, when handlers would go to pet dog would then get still, wide eyed, would allow minimal pets, then would get stiff body again. At on point handler was petting to get to muzzle wrap and the dog started growling when petting. Used squeeze gate for all vaccinations, did take treats, walked to kennel Name: Castor Animal ID: A5170480 Breed: FAWN/BROWN AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Male Age: 2Y 1M Weight: 64.6 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 121 Intake Date: 8/24/2026 Deadline Date: 9/8/2026