Hercules

Hercules is an adoptable male German Shepherd looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is fully grown and medium in size. He is listed on the shelter's euthanasia list, listed due to behavior, and that date has now passed. Shelters often move these dates, so Hercules may still be waiting. The shelter can confirm.

Memo 9/9/2026 09/09/26 16:43 Canine has shown concerning behaviors both in and out of the shelter, with potential for recurrence. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/14/26 to provide necessary behavioral and post-adoption support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/15/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/5/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE IS NEEDING TO SURRENDER THIS DOG BACK TO THE SHELTER DUE TO HIS SEVERE SEPARATION ANXIETY AND LUNGING AT A STRANGER THAT LED TO A NEAR BITE. How long have you had your pet? ONE WEEK 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? NO 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? YES, OWNER STATES THAT THEY WERE SITTING DOWN AT A RESTAURANT WHEN A STRANGER WALKED BY AND THE DOG LUNGED AT THE STRANGER FOR NO REASON, MAKING CONTACT WITH THE PANTS LEG, BUT NO BITE TOOK PLACE. Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? THE NEAR BITE TOOK PLACE ON 09/03/26 Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO, JUST THE ONE INCIDENT ON 09/03/2026 Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? How is the animal around children? YES, AGING 2 YRS TO 10 YRS. OWNER STATES THAT SEVERAL KIDS APPROACHED HIM TO PET HIM AND HE DID REALLY GOOD WITH THE CHILDREN. HE ALLOWED ALL PETTING. Please describe behavior around children? Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 2 ADULTS Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? YES Cats? OWNER DID NOT INTRODUCE THIS DOG TO ANY CATS Dogs? OWNER HAS TAKEN THIS DOG TO THE DOG PARK AND HE GOT ALONG VERY WELL WITH THE OTHER DOGS, HE WAS VERY PLAYFUL AND NO AGGRESSION TOWARDS THE OTHER DOGS. 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, OWNER STATES THEY WERE ALLOWED TO PET HIM WHILE EATING. Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? NO, OWNER STATES THAT HE DOES NOT LIKE THE CRATE Leash trained? YES Knows commands? SIT, LAY, PAW, SHAKE, OWNER WAS TEACHING HIM HOW TO SPIN, GO GET BONE, GET THE BALL Where was this animal kept? INSIDE, FREE ROAMING Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? YES, OWNER STATES THAT HE WAS VERY DESTRUCTIVE WHEN THEY LEFT HOUSE, HE DESTROYED THE BASE BOARD. OWNER FEELS THIS IS DUE TO HIM HAVING A PANIC ATTACK WHEN LEFT ALONE. Last vaccinations / last vet visit? NOTHING MORE THAN WHAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY MCACC How would you describe your pet's energy level? PRETTY ENERGETIC, BUT WHEN OWNER WORKS FROM HOME, HE SLEEPS. WHEN OWNER'S SPOUSE COMES HOME FROM WORK, IT IS THEN PLAY TIME. Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? HE LOVES CAR RIDES. OWNER ALSO TOOK HIM TO THE GROOMER AND THEY ADVISED OWNER THAT HE DID FINE, HE JUST DID NOT LIKE THE BLOW DRYER What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? LOVES PLAYING FETCH, LOVES ALL OF HIS TOYS (IE. BONE AND TEDDY BEAR) Any escapist behavior? POSSIBLY, ONLY IF HE IS LEFT ALONE. OWNER STATES THAT FOR THE MOST PART, HE LOVES TO STAY CLOSE TO THEM AND FOLLOW THEM AROUND THE HOUSE. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? OWNER STATES THAT HE IS A GREAT DOG, HE IS VERY AFFECTIONATE AND LOVES PETTING. 8/5/2026 What is the reason for surrender? How long have you had your pet? Where did you get this animal from? Is your pet spayed/neutered? Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? 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? Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? How is the animal around children? Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? Please describe how the animal interacts 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? Is your pet potty trained? Familiar with a dog door? Crate trained? Leash trained? Knows commands? Where was this animal kept? Last vaccinations / last vet visit? How would you describe your pet's energy level? Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? Any escapist behavior? Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/9/2026 Outside for AM cleaning sitting at front of kennel with neutral body, began rhythmically demand barking as handler baby talked, no interest in treats offered, did not settle from barking until leash was presented, wide eyed and not breaking eye contact with handler. Easy leash placement at front of kennel, exited with strong pull, loose tail wag, not interested in dogs in passing. Once in yard dog skin crawled when petted while placing leash stopper, began pacing around yard quickly with wide mouth panting, eyes wide, tense body and loose tail, distant from handler for first half of evaluation. Started to demand bark at handler as handler walked around yard, would sit and catch treats but wary of handler extending hand out to pet, barked and shy'd head away from handler but would sit in front of handler to accept treats tossed. Dog would start to bark/lightly airsnap towards handlers hand/leg when walking away from dog, able to distract with treats while calling dog over to exit. Picked up leash and had strong pull back to kennel, entered kennel on own but immediately began biting at leash once in kennel, when handler went to reach for leash dog would become tense, goes from wide mouth panting to clenched jaw, attempts to push out of kennel, had to wait for dog to lower head to remove leash by hand, when closing kennel door after leash was retrieved dog would erratically attempt to push kennel door open, able to close door when distracting dog away. 9/5/2026 Easy leashing, walking into Triage. Tense body, skin crawl when touching at first. Tolerated restraint for vaccines. Walked to kennel strong pull and entered with no issue. (Orange due to HistRev) 8/23/2026 From the foster parent: River is doing great! He’s very friendly and playful! He loves his toys!!! He’s also a talker! He communicates when he wants something. 8/18/2026 From the foster parent: River is doing great in his foster home! . Very affectionate, loves to play with his toys!! We are spending much needed cuddle time! 8/15/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, harnessed to ease pulling. sweet boy , good walker 8/10/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in treats, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Quick leash, mild pull to yd, not reactive; independent, roamed yd, approached handler but would not come in all the way; allowed pets at times, gave kisses; alarm bark w/ tail wag to some people at fence but no bark w/ others; played tag; easy return & unleash 8/7/2026 Dog was at front of kennel demand barking, neutral posture and softly wagging tail, dog would continue to bark repetitively until offered treats, paused to eat, then resumed barking, body remained neutral with wagging tail throughout interaction. Placing \"green\" due to kennel presence and intake notes. 8/3/2026 Walked into ramp on leash, neutral body, allowed all handling and pets, vaccinated using precautionary muzzle wrap, walked to kennel on leash, leash removal by hand. 7/10/2026 soft body, allowed petting, allowed all vacs with muzzel wrap and light restraint, walked to kennel on leash 9/27/2024 dog walked on leash, sitff body, tail tucked, dog jumped into kennel truck with no issues and allowed removal of leash 9/27/2024 walked onto ramp on leash, avoident of staff, side eye during muzzel wrap, when touched for vacs k9 struggled and moderate restraint used for vacs, walked to kennel on leash Name: Hercules Animal ID: A5080070 Breed: TRICOLOR GERM SHEPHERD/MIX Sex: Neutered Age: 3Y 3M Weight: 54.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 144 Intake Date: 9/5/2026 Deadline Date: 9/14/2026