Ophelia

Ophelia is an adoptable female Cattle Dog looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. She is fully grown and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Ophelia, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/18/2026 09/18/26 12:27 Canine is presenting with under-socialized behavior and limited engagement. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/23/26 to provide structured support and prevent potential progression of these behaviors. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/24/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/9/2026 09/09/26 13:57 Casselman: A5171341 A5171343 A5171345 A5171346 A5171348 A5171351 A5171353 A5171354 A5171355 A5171356 A5171366 A5171368 A5171369 A5171370 A5171342 A5171338 A5171371 09/10/26 13:09 Per Activity notes, this dog came from a property with multiple dogs that have a history of being at large and attacking/killing neighbor's cats, chickens, ducks, and possibly other livestock. Unknown which specific dogs were at large and involved in incidents. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/18/2026 Dog was laying on bed with kennel mate when approached; kennel mate retreated away low growling; closed divider and separated. Dog remained on bed; slight tremble; frozen with furrowed brow; watched handler; handler crouched low and outstretched hand; light verbal coaxing; dog got up from bed and approached slightly; handler could see brief low tail wag for a second; ears pinned back; tucked tail in and sat a distance away from handler; lip licking. Offered treats; dog ate treat eagerly off of ground. Dog cowered away with paw raised at sight of leash; used treats to lure towards leash; did this for a few minutes and dog would make progress but ultimately handler had to step into kennel to lasso leash in back of kennel; dog paced quickly back and forth but allowed leash placement. Handler had to use spatial pressure with bed to guide dog into taxi; rode well in taxi to the yard. Once in yard dog exited taxi and retreated to wall; defecated; slowly took steps in direction of handler; paw raised; nose to ground; not interested in treats tossed; retreated to corner of yard. Dog remained under chair in corner of yard for remainder of outing; ears perked up at barking dogs; avoidant of handler; trembling; slouched over; head turning and lip licking. Handler brought taxi over to dog; would avoid taxi even with spatial pressure in corner; dog would try to climb up and over taxi to avoid; handler let go of leash and dog retreated to other corner. Dog allowed handler to pet gently on top of head; muzzle wrapped slowly and picked up; dog was curled tightly into ball but allowed; carried back to kennel; got tangled up in leash; allowed handler to fix leash and remove by hand. 9/15/2026 When handler approached kennel, k9 retreated to the backside with tail tucked and crouched low to the ground. When kennel door was opened ajar and handler spoke in a soft voice, k9 softened with a small short tail wag and took a few steps forward towards handler. Handler showed slip lead and k9 retreated to the backside of the kennel again. After a few minutes, k9 still did not want to come forward so handler closed guillotine and approached from the other side. Handler opened other side of kennel door ajar and k9 stood frozen in the corner, looking back and forth for a way to escape. Handler was able to lightly lasso slip lead onto k9. Once k9 was leashed, k9 sniffed handlers hands and leash. K9 pancaked and did not want to walk on leash. Handler placed a light muzzle wrap restraint on k9 and picked up to carry to clinic. K9 was tense when walking to the clinic, but otherwise did well. Easily placed onto scale and obtained weight with no issues. Carried and placed into kennel with no issue. Removed leash by hand. 9/14/2026 Dog was laying in back of kennel with kennel mate, assistant closed divider, dog remained laying in place, tense, handler opened door and kennel mate moved farther back in kennel, then dog did not get up, turning head away, lip licking, tolerated handler placing leash, remained in place as assistant leashed other dog, handler began to toss treats and this dog slowly stood up and came forward, tense with low tail, ate treats in bucket but would not step in, handler used leash pressure to move dog into bucket, dog stayed there as assistant moved kennel mate to bucket, then tipped upright, transported to M&G room, tipped bucket back down, dog slowly exited, sat between bucket and wall, rounded posture, handler tossed treats but dog showed no interest. After a few minutes dog slow took a few steps forward, sitting in front of door, very slowly laying down, remained tense, stayed in place for a few minutes, after a while began shaking, handlers decided to take dog back to kennel, dog was laying on top of leash and handler was trying to encourage her to get up to fix it, tossed treats, dog would not move, handler pull leash gently but it was still stuck, handler tried petting dog with leash handle, dog skin crawled with each touch, eventually stood and tried to hid behind bucket again, handler got leash untangled slowly, then used leash pressure to move dog into bucket, tipped bucket back up and attached clip leash, softly pet dog for a moment, dog was frozen with no reaction, transported back to kennel, both dogs entered kennel easily, allowed leash removal while standing at back of kennel. 09/14/26 12:48 Requesting 2nd attempt 9/9/2026 Caught on catch pole, alligator rolled, did not allow handling 9/9/2026 k9 flared on catch pole device, k9 used dog taxi to travel, k9 wide eyed, k9 tail tucked, K9 ORANGE DUE TO BEHAVIOR Name: Ophelia Animal ID: A5171341 Breed: WHITE/BROWN AUST CATTLE DOG/MIX Sex: Spayed Age: 5Y 0M Weight: 33.0 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing C - 234 Intake Date: 9/9/2026 Deadline Date: 9/23/2026