Otis

Otis is an adoptable male Mastiff looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is fully grown and x-large in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 3 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Otis, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/4/2026 09/04/26 12:52 Canine has a history of concerning behavior in previous home environments that may reoccur in future placements. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 9/10/26 to provide appropriate behavior management and post-adoption support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/11/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/3/2026 What is the reason for surrender? OWNER IS NEEDING TO RETURN THIS DOG BECAUSE HE RESOURCES GUARDS OVER HIS TOYS AND IS OVERPROTECTIVE OF THE HOME. OWNER STATES THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME OVER, HE DOESN'T LIKE THEM TO COME OVER, HE WILL GROWL. How long have you had your pet? 2 WEEKS Where did you get this animal from? MCACC Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? OWNER STATES THAT HE HAS A LITTLE EYE MUCUS We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO, BUT OWNER STATES THAT HE IS VERY PROTECTIVE OF HIS TOYS AND DOES NOT LIKE PEOPLE TO COME INTO HIS SPACE 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? YES, HE WILL GROWL AT STRANGERS AND HE HAS GROWLED AT OTHER DOGS/CATS. OWNER WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT HE HAS NOT BITTEN ANYONE. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? How is the animal around children? NO Please describe behavior around children? Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? JUST ONE - THE OWNER Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? YES Cats? OWNER STATES THAT HE WILL CHASE CATS IN A AGGRESSIVE MANNER. OWNER STATES THAT HE DID GET HIS MOUTH ON ONE, BUT SHE GOT AWAY. NO INJURIES WERE DONE WITH THE CAT AS THE OWNER WAS ABLE TO GET THEM APART VERY QUICKLY Dogs? OWNER STATES THAT HE IS VERY ALPHA AROUND DOGS. OWNER STATES THAT SHE HAS NEVER ALLOWED HIM TO GET TO A POINT WHERE A FIGHT WOULD BREAK OUT. 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? OWNER STATES THAT HE IS NOT FOOD AGGRESSIVE, BUT HE DOES RESOURCE GUARD AROUND HIS TOYS. Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? UNKNOWN, OWNER DOES NOT HAVE A DOGGY DOOR Crate trained? NO, OWNER STATES THAT SHE PLACED HIM IN A CRATE ONCE AND HE WHINED, BUT HE DID NOT TRY TO DESTROY THE CRATE Leash trained? YES Knows commands? SIT, HEAL, WITH ME, BREAK, BUSINESS OUTSIDE Where was this animal kept? INSIDE, FREE ROAMING Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR Last vaccinations / last vet visit? NOTHING MORE THAN WHAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY MCACC How would you describe your pet's energy level? MEDIUM - OWNER STATES THAT HE DOES SLEEP ALOT Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? HE IS GOOD WITH CAR RIDES AND HE LOVES TAKING BATHS What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? HE LOVES TO PLAY TUG A WAR (HE DOESN'T GET AGGRESSIVE WITH THE ROPE) HE LIKES TO PLAY FETCH, BUT FETCH CAN TURN INTO RESOURCE GUARDING Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? OWNER STATES THAT HE IS A REALLY GOOD DOG, BUT HE IS A LITTLE TOO MUCH IN SUCH A TINY PLACE THAT SHE LIVES IN. HE IS QUICK TO LEARN, TAKES COMMANDS WELL. OWNER STATES THAT HE LOVES TO SEEK ATTENTION AND HE THINKS THAT HE IS A LAP DOG. OWNER STATES THAT HE IS A GREAT DOG THAT WOULD DO WELL WITH A FAMILY THAT LOVES TO TAKE HIM ON WALKS AND HAVE ENOUGH SPACE FOR HIM TO RUN AROUND. OWNER STATES THAT SHE FEELS THAT HE WOULD BE A BETTER FIT AS A ONLY DOG. 7/30/2026 How long have you had the animal ? 2 DAYS What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 39TH AVE AND MCDOWELL RD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? DISCHARGE IN EYES Is animal spayed/neutered? 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 Was this animal around any children? YES, 7 AND 5 YEAR OLD. FRIENDLY WITH CHILDREN. LETS CHILDREN PET. Did the animal interact with other animals? YES Cats? NO Dogs? DISMISSIVE OF OTHER DOGS IN THE HOME. NO AGGRESSION NOTED. 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? NO GUARDING NOTED Can the animal walk on a leash? DID NOT WALK ON LEASH Does the animal know any commands? SIT If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? CRATED. If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? METAL BARS, YARD CONTAINED DOG How would you describe the animal’s energy level? LOW 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) 9/3/2026 Orange due to history review, very calm in room, not seeking any attention, allowed all handling 8/9/2026 Day 3: During AM walk through, handler observed that K-9 did not eat kibble offered. K-9 was sitting in back half of kennel. 8/9/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in treats, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Otis was happy to lay in the pool to cool off! He followed me around the yard, appreciated polite pets and was so easy-going. He met new staff and volunteers with a gentle, calm approach. He was a very GOOD boy! 8/8/2026 Dog did not eat sitting by kennel. 8/7/2026 Did not eat, laying in back of kennel came to front and took treat gently and went back outside 8/4/2026 Closed outside for AM cleaning. Dog was lying in back corner, came forward with neutral body when offered treats, eagerly took from hand. Backed away when attempting to place leash, able to coax forward with more treats, head shy but allowed handler to place leash with large loop. Dog exited kennel, walked with little pull, surveyed environment, ignored kenneled dogs, wary of surroundings. Explored yard, nose to ground, neutral body, startled at times, approached handler, body soft, wagging nub, initially head shy but settled and allowed petting all over, eagerly took treats from hand. Continued exploring but returned to handler with verbal coaxing, allowed more pets, able to pick up leash and walk back with no issues, hesitant to enter kennel, handler tossed treats, dog followed, came forward and allowed handler to remove leash by hand. *Potential adopters should be counseled on slow introductions and proper decompression time to allow dog to adjust to new home. 7/31/2026 did not eat 7/30/2026 Hard stare at handler in lobby. Skin crawl with leash touch. Took treats in triage but avoided handler approach. Muzzle wrap for all vaccines. Name: Otis Animal ID: A5169209 Breed: BROWN/BLACK MASTIFF Sex: Neutered Age: 6Y 2M Weight: 112.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 159 Intake Date: 9/3/2026 Deadline Date: 9/10/2026