Orion

Orion is an adoptable male Cattle Dog 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 listed on the shelter's euthanasia list, listed due to behavior, and that date has now passed. Shelters often move these dates, so Orion may still be waiting. The shelter can confirm.

Memo 9/10/2026 09/10/26 12:05 Canine has demonstrated low tolerance for handling and other concerning behaviors during their time in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/15/26 to facilitate further behavioral evaluation and support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/16/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/14/2026 Dog was lying at front of kennel when handler approached, stoic face. Handler knelt down and pulled out hotdogs, dog stood and faced kennel gate, slightly grabby taking hotdogs through bars. Slowly sat twice with hand/verbal cue. Body was still and face stoic throughout interaction, tail tucked, did not soften. 9/8/2026 Closed outside for AM cleaning, curled up at the back of kennel. Unable to coax forward verbally or with treats, ate treats tossed nearby. Averted gaze when presented with leash and turned away from handler, able to step in and place leash with large loop. Handler positioned taxi directly in front of dog, entered without assistance, rode well to small yard, allowed light petting on head. Dog remained in taxi, scanning surroundings, whale eyed, lip licking. Handler tossed treats in and around taxi, dog remained frozen, ignored treats, began trying to climb further back into taxi. Handler approached, cowered slightly and lip licked but allowed more pets, sniffed treat offered by hand but didn't take. Handler picked up leash, dog once again turned and tried climbing further back into taxi. Rode back to kennel with no issues, hesitant to enter kennel, resisted and bit leash when trying to guide in, handler stepped in kennel, able to guide dog in with mild leash pressure, held leash taut to preview dog from exiting, slowly removed leash by hand. 9/7/2026 Outside for AM cleaning laying at front of kennel with tense body, hard staring handler, stoic, grabby with treats offered. Retreated to back corner of kennel and pancaked when leash was presented, able to slowly approach and place large loop over dogs head with no issues, slight thrashing then exited kennel quickly before freezing alongside neighboring kennel, trembling tense body, lip curling towards dog in kennel, when adjust taxi dog would begin thrashing, became erratic and thrashed self into taxi then settled, rode fine to small play yard. Once in yard dog exited taxi quickly and pancaked in front of handler as handler sat on bench, eyes shifting in all directions, tolerant of petting on head and body but did not seek out attentions, skin crawling when touched on body. When handler got up dog quickly retreated to corner of yard and pancaked, trembling body, heavy panting, eyes wide and scanning surroundings, very timid and wary of environment. Let dog have a few moments, not interested in treats or coaxing, whale eye and stiff bodied when approached. Placed taxi near dog while picking up leash, dog dashed into taxi on own. No reaction towards clip leash being placed. Rode fine back to kennel, hesitant to exit taxi, would quickly exit taxi but runs back into taxi when leash pressure is felt, tipped taxi over and dog became erratic, spinning around handler resisting entering kennel, able to contain dog into kennel with leash pressure while closing door, used clip leash for leash retrieval. 9/2/2026 walked on ramp, nervous with handler and others around, flinched with touching around neck - noticed during attempt to place mylar, moderate restraint - leash muzzle for vaccines, resists leash handling, allows some handling, does not allow much petting, transported to kennel with pet taxi Name: Orion Animal ID: A5170973 Breed: BLACK/WHITE AUST CATTLE DOG Sex: Male Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 34.6 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing G - 216 Intake Date: 9/2/2026 Deadline Date: 9/15/2026