Onyx

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

Memo 9/3/2026 09/03/26 11:29 Canine has shown inconsistent responses to handlers, including episodes of behavior escalation. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/9/26 to prevent further progression and support ongoing evaluation. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/10/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/28/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE CAN NO LONGER TAKE CARE OF DOG. TOOK OWNERSHIP FROM SOMEONE ELSE AND WANTED TO FIND THE DOG A GOOD HOME. How long have you had your pet? 1-2 MONTHS Where did you get this animal from? GOT DOG FROM A RELATIVE 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? 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? NO 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? PROTECTIVE OF SOURCE AND SOURCE'S FAMILY. GROWLS AT OTHERS WHEN BEING PROTECTIVE Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? YES, 1 YEAR OLD. FRIENDLY WITH CHILDREN Please describe behavior around children? ALLOWS PETTING AND HANDLING FROM CHILD Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 3 MEMBERS IN HOUSEHOLD. DOG IS FRIENDLY WITH ALL MEMBERS OF HOUSEHOLD. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? NO Dogs? NO 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? PROTECTIVE OF SOURCE AND SOURCE'S FAMILY Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? NO Leash trained? YES, SOME PULLING Knows commands? SETTLE, LAY, HEEL, SIT, AND SHAKE 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)? VACUUMS, WILL BARK AT IT What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? LIKES CAR RIDES, WATER, BALLS, AND MOST TOYS Any escapist behavior? NONE Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NONE Any Additional details/notes on behavior? GOOD WITH KIDS, SOURCE STATES THE DOG IS VERY CHILL. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/3/2026 Outside for AM cleaning with flagged tail, stiff body while low growling at handler, would start to have wagging flagged tail as handler interacted with dog but continued to low growl, no interest in treats offered. Some softer body when leash was presented but tense bodied, some low growling but started to settle once door was opened, flagged tail wag while placing leash, easy leash placement at front of kennel. Exited with easy leash pull, marked a few times before entering yard, defecated immediately upon entry to play yard. Once in yard dog would have flagged tail and tense body throughout, first half of evaluation dog spent going potty around yard and exploring quickly, no interest in activities outside of yard and will have more tail wags when handler used squeaker toy to call over, would accept quick pets before continuing to explore. Showed quick interest in tennis ball thrown but did not recover, chased after ball but would resume exploring/sniffing intensely/marking around yard. Would stay close to handler for most of evaluation as handler walked around yard, has moments of softening up when handler kneels down and calls dog over but tail remained flagged, some quick hard stares when reaching out to pet but settles, did lip curl towards end of evaluation when reaching out to pet. No interest to treats offered or tossed near, more heavy panting, wide eyes, tense body as evaluation progressed. Came to handler when called over to leave, easy return to kennel. Dog became stiff, hard stared, low growled at handler as handler reached for leash, able to walk dog out of kennel and apply clip leash with no issues, dog walked back into kennel on own and used clip leash for leash retrieval. 9/1/2026 DNE day one. Sitting, low head, hard stare. 9/1/2026 On outer portion for cleaning, standing at front of kennel, tense, tail flagged, and low growling. Offered treats; took some treats; continued to low growl; side eyeing; staff closed divider; dog became startled; remained at front; allowed for easy leashing; exited; tense body; walked with light pull; stopped to urinate; continued walking. In yard, dog explored on own; defecated a few times; sniffed nose to ground; handlers tried verbally coaxing; would not look up; more interested in yard; assistant handler tossed treats; continued exploring; handler used a squeaker toy; dog was interested; dog approached; sniffed toy; offered treats; took some treats; lost interest; allowed for petting; tail wagging high; leaned side into handler; skin crawled when pet on back; allowed petting on head from assistant handler; dog continued to explore. Assistant handler tossed ball/toy; dog would chase after but would not pick; continued to explore; would approach for squeaker; tolerating petting; continued to explore; picked up ball; carried in mouth briefly; dropped ball; approached handlers; allowed for petting; remained tense through interaction; allowed handler to pick leash up; added clip leash; walked well back to kennel; entered kennel; removed leash with clip leash. 8/29/2026 Closed inside for AM cleaning. Dog was laying against door, eyes wide, pupils dilated, slowly stood while hard staring at handler, low growling, body tense, stiff wagging tail, ignored treats, softened slightly when presented with leash, easy leash placement, dog exited kennel, walked with little pull, ignored kenneled dogs, able to adjust leash stopper, attached extended leash, dog explored yard, nose to ground, tail flagged, approached assistant handler and sniffed, tail wagging, remained tense, ate treats tossed on ground, continued exploring, handlers sat on bench, dog approached with soft body and high wagging tail, heavily salivating, took treats from hand, leaned into handler's and allowed petting all over, eyes soft, panting, followed handler to gate, able to pick up leash and adjust stopper, easy walk back to kennel, easy return, dog stood at kennel door, tense, eyes wide, removed leash via clip leash. 8/28/2026 allowed leash placement, in room started growling gate handler, moving towards handler sniffing him wide eyed, second handler called dogs name to take focus off first handler, squeeze gate for vaccines, dog would look soft wagging tail appearing he is seeking attention then change and start growling. walked to kennel Name: Onyx Animal ID: A5170695 Breed: BLACK/WHITE MASTIFF Sex: Male Age: 8Y 1M Weight: 78.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 153 Intake Date: 8/28/2026 Deadline Date: 9/9/2026