Emerald

Emerald is an adoptable female Belgian Shepherd Malinois looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a young adult and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Emerald, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/18/2026 09/18/26 13:25 Canine has shown resistance to returning to the kennel with escalating responses. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 9/23/26 to prevent further decline and allow for behavior evaluation in a new environment. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/24/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 7/30/2026 How long have you had the animal ? 1 DAY What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 163RD AVE AND PAT TILLMAN BLVD 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 SIGNS OF ILLNESS. Is animal spayed/neutered? Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO AGGRESSION TOWARDS PEOPLE. SNARLED AND GROWLED AT FEMALE DOG IN THE HOME. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO Was this animal around any children? NO CONTACT WTIH CHILDREN Did the animal interact with other animals? YES Cats? DISMISSIVE OF THE CAT IN THE HOME Dogs? PLAYFUL WITH THE MALE DOG IN THE HOME. SNARLED AND GROWLED AT THE FEMALE DOG. 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? NO GUARDING NOTED. Can the animal walk on a leash? PULLS HARD ON THE LEASH Does the animal know any commands? SIT If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? CHICKEN WIRE FENCING, YARD CONTAINED DOG. How would you describe the animal’s energy level? HIGH ENERGY Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/18/2026 At front of kennel with soft wiggly body and tail wagging. Easy leash; exited; interested in dogs in passing kennels; soft; continued walking; walked past small dog area; soft whining; continued walking; light pull at times. In yard, dog urinated & defecated; ran around in yard; soft body; open mouth; approached handlers for treats; took treats gently; demonstrated sit & gave paw; allowed for all petting; would jump up at handler at times; handler was able to stick hands out; dog would settle; tossed tennis ball; briefly chased; not interested; ocassionally checked in with handler; allowing for petting; offered more treats; ocasional soft whines; more interested in yard. Approached yard fence; placed front paws against fence; redirected on own; sniffed ground; allowed handler to approach; followed to yard gate; picked leash up; exited; moderate pull; soft whining past reactive small and life room dogs; continued walking; entered wing; dog briefly fence fought with a reactive dog; contiued walking with light leash pressure; stopped at kennel; lightly pulled back; made treat trail; dog walked into kennel; allowed for leash removal with no issue. ***Interested parties should be counseled on proper dog to dog introductions and allow for proper decompression time. 09/18/26 13:42 Updating color. 9/18/2026 Dog pulled for animal care staff to clean drain. At front of kennel upon approach, slightly tense body, easy to leash, exited kennel willingly, became loose wiggly in hallway, solicited attention from handlers, jumped up on handlers, easy to redirect off, moderate pull on leash, walked up to door into kennel hallway willingly, avoidant of entering hallway (turning head away, moderate pulling), second handler held door open as lead handler walked away then reapproached door at brisk pace, dog stopped and pulled back at threshold to hallway, reared up, bit at leash, yelped, dog settled but continued trying to pull away when leash pressure loosened, bit at leash and yelped when pressure was again applied, handler walked dog a few feet away from door, third handler brought treats, able to slowly coax dog halfway through threshold with hot dog trail, second handler attempted to call dog from other side of kennel, dog eventually darted into the hallway, pulled away from open kennel, took treats but unable to coax into kennel, second and third handlers left kennel hallway to find more treats, after a few moments dog entered kennel willingly, mildly pushed on door when closed, removed leash with clip leash as caution. 09/18/26 13:42 Updating color due to NHO status. 9/15/2026 *Responding to call for assistance on radio* On approach dog had soft wiggly body, wagging tail, came forward to solicit attentions, recovered leash from main handler with no issues. Began pacing with more tense body when approaching building, hesitant to enter building and began thrashing on leash while yelping/screaming, used slight leash pressure to guide dog into building. Dog would have slight moments of neutral soft body when walking towards kennel until directing attention towards dogs in passing, began fence fighting (muzzle punching, low growling, stiff bodied and hackles raised) then would begin to thrash/pull away from handler when leash pressure was felt when approaching kennel, paced in front of kennel door, would begin fence fighting with neighbors, used slight leash pressure to guide dog into kennel. Allowed dog a moment to settle, lowered head and able to remove leash by hand, dog was gently pushing on kennel door as door was being closed. 9/15/2026 Pulled K9 out for a walk, Greeted handler panacked on the floor slight tail wags, soften when spoken to softly and given treats. no issues leashing over the head slowly. Walked past dogs quickly with tail up and wagging. Out in yard, sniffed nose to ground, urinated and enaged in playing fetch with tennis ball,. Woud chase but not retrieve. Handler engaged dog in bobbling for treats in the kiddie pool. Dog engaged by getting into the pool and attempting to get treats out. Dog knew \"sit\" on command with treats. Dog did not solict attnetion but accepted it when petting on top of head. Dog was independent in the yard, running around the fence line when people passed by. Dog was observed trying to get out of the yard near the yard gates where there are small gaps between the fene panels. Dog was observed trying to dig at the fene line. handler redirected with treats and fetch, dog had to be redirected two times. picked up leash with no issues, walked back to building D sniffing along the way, once inside building, dog had tail tucked, ears pinned and paced infront of building. handler coaxed dog with treats inside building and used light leash pressre to guide dog through to its kennel. Dog began fence fighting neighboring dog while handler was trying to guide dog into its kennel,dog was observed to bare teeth and muzzle punch, dog was not taking redirection with leash pressure or treats or vocal sounds. handler used moderate leash pressure to guide dog away from dog and outside building. handler attemped to put dog in through the back of kennel door. dog became stiff body when kennel door opened, handler walked in first to the kennel and tried to have dog follow, however, dog was thrashing on the leashing and bitting it, backign away with body weight.handler back away from kennel , dog was see pacing and trying to back out of leash. handler called for assitance on the radio. 9/4/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, nervous of barking dogs; light pull to yard; played fetch and returned ball; knows sit and shake; affectionate, solicited belly rubs; stepped in and out of pool; calm energy in yard; went right into kennel, easy unleash 8/27/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Shake, Appears potty trained, food motivated, allows pets on body, plays with tennis ball, enjoys sniffing yard, friendly, good girl. 8/18/2026 Dog slowly came up to kennel door when handler approached and called for dog. Took treat gently. Easy to leash and pull from kennel. Dog walked slowly next to handler. Dog licked handlers face when handler was putting on PPE. Dog pulled back from handler when attempting to enter kennel building. Handler went to the back of the kennel, and handler tossed in hot dogs but dog would not go in. Handler stepped into outside portion of kennel and dog followed into kennel. Able to unleash by hand. 8/15/2026 Avoidant, Easy to pull from kennel, Used clip lead to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Shake 8/12/2026 Dog did not eat. Laying on bed. 8/8/2026 Dog did not eat laying on karanda showing belly soliciting attention. 8/5/2026 Dog approached front of kennel; soft; tail wagging; not interested in treats; easy leash; exited; walked past behavior taxi; continued walking; startled by reactive dogs; some stop and go. In yard, dog explored; approached handler; allowed for petting; offered treats; sat; gave paw; took treats gently; allowed for all petting; leaned into petting; would approach yard fence if staff walked by; soft body. Would approach when verbally coaxed, allowed handler to pet all over, picked leash up, and walked well back to kennel. Did not enter kennel, stepped in, dog followed, and allowed for leash removal. ***Interested parties should be counseled on proper dog to dog introductions and allow for proper decompression time. 8/4/2026 Outside for AM cleaning with tucked tail, tense body, started to soften up as handler baby talked and offered treats, accepted treats gently. Wary of leash at first but allowed for easy leash placement, exited kennel erratically, stop n go with light thrashing when leash pressure was felt, startled by reactive dogs in passing, once away from kennels dog would become erratic on leash, light thrashing, tail tightly tucked and body tense, skin crawled when touched but tolerated petting, would not continue on walk so taxi was brought over, able to guide dog into taxi with no issues, dog tolerated all handling as handler guided backside into taxi. Observant and hanging off side of taxi with front paws, very minor attempts to escape but never committed and able to keep contained in taxi with no issues. Exited taxi quickly once in yard and began sniffing intensely, nose close to ground, tense bodied and tail tucked, would start to solicit attentions with handlers as evaluation progressed allowing petting all over, accepting treats gently. Knows \"SIT\" and \"PAW\", started to have more wagging tail and soft body. Interested in volunteers outside of yard, sniffed and approached at front of fence with neutral soft body but did not accept treat offered, returned to handlers. Picked up leash and dog walked into taxi on own, rode fine back to kennel, some minor attempts to escape but never committed to jumping out of taxi. Exited taxi into kennel on own, came forward and allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 7/31/2026 dog did not eat food was full. when handlerapproached dogs kennel dog was standing in front of kennel gate. 7/30/2026 Able to leash with large loop. Dog walked erratic on leash to Triage, moving zig zag, occasio9nally pulling back on hind legs. In room, dog began pacing, heavy panting. Chewing on leash with light leash pressure. When applying leash pressure second time, dog thrashed, screamed, and bit leash. Dog remained high FAS, declined treats. When attempting to muzzlewrap, dog screamed, thrashed and snapped towards hand. Dog chewed through leash. Handler transfered dog to catchpole. Dog screamed, thrashing, alligator rolling, defecating. Vaccinating in squeeze gate. Loaded into bucket. Dog rode to kennel with catchpole. Dog jumped out of bucket on way to kennel. Reloaded inito bucket. Rode rest of way to kennel, loading into kennel with catchpole GP Name: Emerald Animal ID: A5169233 Breed: BROWN/BLACK BELG MALINOIS Sex: Spayed Age: 1Y 2M Weight: 54.4 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing S - 321 Intake Date: 7/30/2026 Deadline Date: 9/23/2026