Duse

Duse 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 Duse, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/1/2026 09/01/26 12:01 Canine has demonstrated low tolerance for handling during their time in care and concerning behaviors in a previous home environment. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/8/26 to facilitate further behavioral evaluation and support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/9/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/25/2026 What is the reason for surrender? DOG REACTIVITY How long have you had your pet? 1 YEAR Where did you get this animal from? A FRIEND Is your pet spayed/neutered? NO Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NOTHING NOTED We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? NO Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? YOUNG CHILD (2 YEARS) CHILD WAS RUNNING FAST TOWARDS THE DOG AND THE DOG WAS OBSERVED TO HARD STARE AND LUNGE FOR THE CHILD, KNOCKING HIM OVER BUT NOT BITING OR AIR SNAPPING Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? TOWARDS MALE DOGS - LOUDLY BARKS Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? YOUNG CHILDREN Please describe behavior around children? OVER POWERS THEM, KNOCKS THEM OVER, HAS LOW PATIENCE Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 6 ADULTS AND 2 YOUNG CHILDREN Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? 2 DOGS Cats? Dogs? 2 SMALLER DOGS (ONE FEMALE AND ONE MALE) DOG IS OBSERVED TO BE REACTIVE TO THE MALE DOG IN THE HOME, NOT THE FEMALE - RECENTLY OBSERVED TO LOUDLY BARK, LOW GROWLS, EXERT DOMINANCE AND JUMP ON HIM ; THEY HAVE BEGUN SEPARATING THEM 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? LOW GROWL WITH THE SOURCE AS HE FEEDS HIM ; LOUDLY BARKS IF DISTURBED WHILE EATING Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES ; ALERTS BY SITTING AT BACK DOOR Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? YES - NOT REACTIVE Leash trained? YES - STRONG PULL Knows commands? YES - SIT, COME HERE , Where was this animal kept? INSIDE - FREE ROAMING Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NOTHING NOTED Last vaccinations / last vet visit? How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH ENERGY Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? YES - LOUD NOISES AND LARGE OBJECTS - BARKS AND TRIES TO RUN AWAY What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? BALLS - RUBBER Any escapist behavior? YES - COMES BACK Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SOURCE ADDS THAT THE DOG IS VERY ENERGETIC AND LOVES LONG WALKS, HE ALSO SHARES THAT HE IS COUCH POTATO AND IS PRETTY CALM WITH PEOPLE Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/28/2026 Dog was closed outside for cleaning, standing with tail down, eyes wide, lip-licking. Refused treats. Came forward as handler opened gate, allowed leash placement, then darted out of kennel. Walked with very strong pull, body low, head swiveling; appeared highly nervous and on alert, needed leash guidance to redirect towards yard. Dog paced yard, panting, tense. Leaned against handler's legs, flinched on initial touch but did tolerate petting. Continued to pace yard, became avoidant of handler after a while, kept distance, would not approach when called. No interest in treats. Dog did not fully settle in yard but did stop to sniff a few items before continuing to pace. Handler called dog to gate, dog approached, retreated when handler reached for leash, repeated this behavior a few times until handler was able to retrieve leash. Applied clip lead. Strong pull on return. Would not enter kennel, began pulling back hard on leash, resisting. Handler tried walking dog away, then back, but dog continued to pull erratically on leash. Handler walked dog away from kennel, radioed for assistance. Dog was panting, eyes wide. Began pulling away, handler followed. Second handler used sort board to slowly corral dog back towards kennel. Dog bolted away from handlers, needed leash guidance to be directed to kennel, entered in as second handler stood back with board. Handler closed gate, dog attempted to bolt out, leash removed via clip lead. 8/27/2026 DNE day 1. Sitting outside, lowhead, whale eyes. 8/27/2026 Outside for AM cleaning cowered in corner of kennel with trembling body, eyes wide and shifting in all directions, very timid. No interest in treats or coaxing, startled by loud noises outside of kennel. Started to come forward with tail tucked, body and head lowered, slow approach when leash was presented but did not fully approach front of kennel. Retreated back to original spot when door was opened, cowering in corner of kennel. No reaction towards lasso'ing leash but lowers head before leash can be secured, able to slowly approach and place leash with no issues. Exited kennel with some pulling, tense bodied with body and head low to ground, flinches heavily when startled, no issues walking to small play yard. Once in yard dog urinated immediately for long duration of time, scurried over to handler quickly once finished and leaned into handlers leg, accepted pets all over, wide eyed, heavy panting with periodic yawns, some side eyeing at times when petted on top of head but when not being petted leans into handler's leg more, tail tucked, tense bodied. Will follow handler closely around yard, no interest in treats, paces alongside fence line with head lowered, will come to handler as handler sat on bench to solicit more attentions. Very timid throughout time in yard, accepting of pets throughout but did not settle with yawning and heavy panting. Came to handler when called over to leave, flinched when removing leash stopper. Some pulling back to kennel, defecated in middle of walk way. Walked into kennel on own, allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 8/25/2026 Nervous, tail tucked, wide eyed, furrowed brows, tense body, slow leashing, allowed some handling and vaccines with muzzle wrap restraint, thrashed on restraint, walked to kennel, alert around people passing by, entered kennel through back side of kennel with no issue, clip lead used to remove leash. Name: Duse Animal ID: A5170544 Breed: TAN/FAWN AM PIT BULL TER/MIX Sex: Male Age: 2Y 1M Weight: 88.5 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 124 Intake Date: 8/25/2026 Deadline Date: 9/8/2026