Bandit

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

Memo 9/2/2026 09/02/26 15:13 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 9/8/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/9/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/20/2026 What is the reason for surrender? Dog is too large to be kept at their home, no longer able to care for it. Couldn't find original owner How long have you had your pet? 3 months Where did you get this animal from? FOUND AS A STRAY 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? NO SIGNS OF ILLNESS We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? NO Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? NO 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 How is the animal around children? 2 YEAR OLD. DOG IS DISMISSIVE OF CHILD. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? DID NOT DIRECTLY INTERACT Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? NO CONTACT WITH OTHER ANIMALS. Cats? Dogs? 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? Is the animal house-trained? NO Is your pet potty trained? NO Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? YES Leash trained? YES, PULLS HARD ON LEASH. Knows commands? NO Where was this animal kept? OUTSIDE Last vaccinations / last vet visit? How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH ENERGY Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? NO Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/30/2026 Dog would start to demand bark on approach to kennel. Offered treats, would take treats through gate. Presented leash, would attempt to bite @ leash. Alternate handler would distract dog by showing toys through kennel gate while dog would be jumping up during leash placement. Walked with a moderate pull on leash, would turn to jump up towards both handlers. Alternate handler would offer toys (rope & a large soft stuffy) in rotation to encourage dog to keep walking & throughout time in PY, dog would take a toy then drop it, turn towards handler & start to jump up while biting @ leash, alternate handler would offer another toy each time dog would drop toy from mouth. Once in PY, dog would play with toys, dropped the toys & jump up towards handler. Allowed petting from both handlers without a toy in mouth, would sniff hands but not be mouthy. Would play with toys while pacing near handlers. Would jump into water pool, quickly returning to playing with toys. Would start to pant heavy while pacing, stopped pacing & would look past handlers while panting heavier with a glossy look in eyes. Handlers would offer another toy to dog, dog would turn direction to toys again to play. Would not play fetch & not interested in treats while in PY. Would lightly mouth towards alternate handlers spare leashes & hands, able to direct away by presenting toys. Picked up leash, dog would bite towards leash, again alternate handler would present toys in rotation to keep dog from biting @ leash & to continue to walk. Entered into kennel with rope toy being tossed into kennel. Removed leash with use of clip leash as dog would bite towards leash during leash removal. 8/29/2026 Went to retrieve dog for M&G, Dog barking at front of kennel and jumping. Gave treats at kennel prior to unlocking the kennel. When unlocking the lock dog is actively trying to chew at hands. Threw more treats down to distract. Able to unlock kennel and dog walked into open loop for removing from kennel. Dog pulled toward neighboring dog in kennel and attempted to fence fight each other. Handler was able to redirect dog to walk out of building. Dog pulled slightly on the walk to the m&g room. Once in the m&g room the dog approached the PA while handler still holding leash. Dog urinated between the PA's legs when getting pets. Dog started to put his mouth around PA's hand and handler was able to redirect from behavior. Dog then persisted to chew on handler's leash. Handler then attempted to redirect dog with pets to detour the chewing of leash. PA elected to see another dog based on this dog having too high of energy. Walked dog back to his kennel with a slight pull and occasional stop and go. When entering D building, the dog pulled towards the other dogs in kennel. Handler was able to change dog's direction. Opened the dog's kennel and dog did not want to go inside of his kennel. Handler attempted to throw hot dogs to entice entry into kennel with no success. Dog then started jumping up towards handlers face with an open mouth/snapping. Dog then started snapping while jumping at handler's face. Handler held dog away with leash to keep from jumping and snapping at face. Dog then fixating on handler's hand while holding leash and had not interest in treats. Handler then grabbed other leash to throw into his kennel for distraction. Dog chased leash inside of the kennel and Handler was able to close the kennel. Handler then opened guillotine and threw hot dogs at the back of the kennel to then grab leashes in his kennel. While handler was locking the kennel the dog was actively chewing at kennel bars where the handler's hands were. 8/21/2026 Sitting, soft, tail wagging, demand barking, and allowed for petting. Placing \"purple\" due to kennel presence and intake notes. 8/20/2026 Easy leashing, walking into Triage. High energy, wiggly, jumpy, mouthy. Tolerated restraint for vaccines and allowed all petting. Walked to kennel strong pull, and entered with no issue Name: Bandit Animal ID: A5170304 Breed: BLACK/WHITE LABRADOR RETR/MIX Sex: Neutered Age: 1Y 1M Weight: 56.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing D - 115 Intake Date: 8/20/2026 Deadline Date: 9/8/2026