Choco

Choco is an adoptable male Siberian Husky 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 currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 2 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Choco, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/16/2026 09/16/26 14:26 Canine has displayed concerning behavior patterns in both the home and shelter environments. Without consistent management, behaviors may continue or escalate. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/21/26 to provide behavioral support and oversight. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/22/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/8/2026 What is the reason for surrender? HAS HAD SINCE HE WAS A PUPPY, SURRENDERING DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS, CAN NO LONGER CARE FOR How long have you had your pet? 2 YEARS Where did you get this animal from? BREEDER 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? 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? NO Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? HAS NIPPED IN THE PAST TOWARDS MALE OWNER. OWNER STATES THEY WERE REMOVING FOOD BOWL TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER WHEN PET NIPPED. DID NOT BREAK SKIN Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? NO Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? NO Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? PET HAS BEEN IN A FEW FIGHTS WITH HIS MALE SIBLING, OWNER STATES THEY PLAY VERY ROUGH AND AT TIMES HAVE TO BE SEPARATED. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO SERIOUS INJURIES How is the animal around children? HAS LIVED WITH CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 8 YEARS. VERY PLAYFUL WITH CHILDREN IN THE HOME. WHEN VISITORS COME OVER HE WILL BARK AND SETTLE AFTER SOME TIME Please describe behavior around children? FRIENDLY WITH CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN THE HOME, TAKES TIME TO WARM TO NEW PEOPLE Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? FRIENDLY WITH PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE HOLD. REACTIVE TO NEW PEOPLE, WILL BARK AND LUNGE AT PEOPLE WHILE ON WALKS. OWNER KEEPS SEPARATED WHEN VISITORS COME OVER Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? HAS LIVED WITH 2 OTHER LARGE DOGS Cats? BARKS AND CHASES CAT Dogs? ROUGH PLAY WITH LARGE DOGS LEADING TO FIGHTS, NO SERIOUS INJURIES OWNERS WERE ABLE TO SEPARATE WITHOUT ISSUE. 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? WILL GUARD FOOD BOWL, OWNER HAS STARTED FEEDING IN KENNEL Is the animal house-trained? CRATED WHEN INSIDE Is your pet potty trained? YES, WILL HAVE ACCIDENTS IF FOOD IS CHANGED Familiar with a dog door? NO DOGGY DOOR Crate trained? YES Leash trained? PULLS HARD Knows commands? KNOWS BASIC COMMANDS Where was this animal kept? CRATED INSIDE, FREE ROAM OUTSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? WILL CHEW UP OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND ANY MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS LEFT AROUND TH HOME Last vaccinations / last vet visit? UNKNOWN How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? NO KNOWN FEARS What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? ANXIOUS IN CAR RIDES, DOES NOT PLAY WITH TOYS. THOUGH HAS PLAYED WITH SQUEAKY TOYS Any escapist behavior? 6 FT BLOCK FENCE WITH WOOD DOOR, PET WILL DIG HOLES AROUND THE YARD, HAS GOTTEN OUT FROM HOLE DUG Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? WILL DOOR DASH Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/13/2026 Outside for AM cleaning with tense body, tail tucked but becoming flagged as handler approached, head lowered and furrowed brow, very timid at front of kennel. Slowly came forward to accept treat gently but started to back away, froze in place as door was opened, no issues placing large loop leash over head. Exited with easy leash pull, startled by reactive dogs in passing, tail tucked, flinches when startled, walked closely to handler but some hard staring when bumping into handlers leg, no issues walking to small play yard. Once in yard dog was distant from handler all of evaluation, side eyeing, went potty and only ate treats tossed near, would not follow treat trail to handler, mostly slow pacing near play yard exit beginning to heavy wide mouth pant. Will sniff handler and accept treats if approached but will slowly pace away from handler, wary of handler extending hand out to pet, did not allow petting all of evaluation, some whale eye and flinching away. Let dog have a few moments, followed handler to exit and wary of clip leash being attached but allowed it. Slow, easy leash pull back to kennel. Walked into kennel on own, used clip leash for leash retrieval. 9/12/2026 Dog was at front of kennel when approached; head low; slouched over; furrowed brow. Handler spoke softly and offered treats; ate; remained in place with worried expression; relaxed musculature but stress signals present. Dog perked up slightly with leash; ears up; stood up; wary of leash; would back away and hard stare at leash with furrowed brow; lured with treats; able to drape large loop overhead after a minute; dog shifted weight back and cowered; exited kennel with rounded body; tail tightly tucked; ears pinned straight back; pilo along neck and back. Dog kept tense posture up until we reached the yard; non reactive to any dogs in passing; startled heavily when handler tightened stopper on leash whipping head. Once in yard handler added extended leash; dog was avoidant; tail slowly untucked; neutral; began soft panting; drooling; urinated. Dog would eat treats tossed but would not approach handler for treats or coaxing; remained neutral panting at exit gate. Handler was able to grab leash; dog approached handler with tense body; pilo; walked behind handler; nervous; slowly reached for leash stopper while dog was distracted at gate; mild pull back to building; attached clip lead while dog was distracted; no reaction to dogs in passing; retreated into kennel willingly; removed leash with clip lead; took treats from hand through kennel. 9/9/2026 Dog did not eat day 1 9/8/2026 dog reactive in lobby, outside stiff body, not seeking any attention, very stoic, allowed muzzle wrap with mild restraint vaccines given, walked to kennel Name: Choco Animal ID: A5171283 Breed: TRICOLOR STAFFORDSHIRE/SIBERIAN HUSKY Sex: Male Age: 2Y 4M Weight: 40.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 150 Intake Date: 9/8/2026 Deadline Date: 9/21/2026