Nugget

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

Memo 9/17/2026 09/17/26 16:18 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 9/22/26 to facilitate further behavioral evaluation and support. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/23/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/8/2026 How long have you had the animal? PET HAS BEEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 2 DAYS, SOURCE WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN TODAY FROM IMPOUND, GROWLED AT FIRST BUT WARMED QUICKLY What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 9600 W GEORGE AVE Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NONE Is animal spayed/neutered? UNKNOWN Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? PET WAS LOW GROWLING AND BARKING AT STRANGERS WHEN FOUND. LOW GROWLED AT SOURCE THOUGH SOURCE STATES HE FED OVER THE COURSE OF 2 DAYS, PET WARMED AFTER THIS. WHEN IN LOBBY PET WAS LOW GROWLING AND SKITTISH, STAFF USED LONG WAND TO SCAN FOR CHIP. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO Was this animal around any children? GROWLING AT CHILDREN, HAD TO KEEP SEPARATED Did the animal interact with other animals? BRIEFLY MET WITH SOURCES SMALL DOG, SOURCE STATES HE GROWLED AND LUNGED THOUGH SOURCE WAS ABLE TO PULL AWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT Cats? UNKNWON Dogs? BREIFLY MET WITH SOURCES DOG, BARKED AND LUNGED Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? UNKNOWN Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? SOURCE STATES HE FED HIM, PET WOULD SIT AND WAIT Can the animal walk on a leash? YES Does the animal know any commands? SOURCE STATES PLAYED FETCH, KNOWS SIT AND PAW Where was this animal kept? PET WAS AT LARGE UNTIL SOURCE BROUGHT IN TODAY If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NONE How would you describe the animal’s energy level? 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) 9/13/2026 Laying at front of kennel with tense body, stoic, came forward slowly to accept treats gently, tail tucked and startled by loud noises in room. Head shy with leash placement, able to coax forward and have dog walk head thru large loop, exited kennel with strong pull, flinches when startled by reactive dogs in passing, tense bodied, marked on way to yard, no interest in dogs in passing. Once in yard dog skin crawled heavily when brushing end of leash on back, began slowly pacing around yard with intense sniffing, some flagged tail, distant from handler but would walk near handler and tolerate petting on body, did not seek out attentions. Whale eye, hard stare, stiffened up when petted on head with some head flip, settled quickly when handler retracted hand back, would begin pacing near play yard exit. Came to handler when called over, flinched heavily and head flipped when attaching clip leash, exited yard with some pulling back to kennel. Hesitant to enter kennel, stood at front of kennel for a moment before entering on own when divider was opened, used clip leash for leash retrieval. 9/11/2026 Dog was at front of kennel; stoic; offered treat; slowly reached for treat; took gently; opened kennel door; tried placing leash over head; moved head back; started moving towards divider; slowly closed divider; dog stood in middle of kennel; able to place large loop over; opened kennel door wide; froze for a brief moment; slowly exited; light to moderate pull; stopped to urinate. In yard, dog explored; defecated; sniffing nose to ground; approached handler; lightly brushed body; dog flinched; moved away; continued to explore; dog approached handler again; offered treats; took treats gently; tried to pet; side eyed; offered more treats; lost interest; walked away; explored. Dog occasionally checked in with handler; allowed for brief petting; easily startled; pet lower body; turned head back; later approached handler; tolerated slow petting on head; dog stood in front of handler; offered more treats; not interested; went to go explore. Handler walked to yard gate; dog approached; allowed handler to pick leash up; exited; moderate pull added clip leash; did not enter kennel; pulled away; opened divider; dog entered kennel; removed leash with clip leash. 9/8/2026 stiff on approach, hackles up, low growl, handler placed leash over dogs head, handler walked with dog, let dog settle dog allowed very minimal touching, allowed muzzle wrap for vaccines, walked to kennel Name: Nugget Animal ID: A5171293 Breed: YELLOW GERM SHEPHERD/MIX Sex: Male Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 66.6 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 156 Intake Date: 9/8/2026 Deadline Date: 9/22/2026