Anchovy

Anchovy is an adoptable male German Shepherd looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is fully grown and medium in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Anchovy, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/18/2026 09/18/26 12:46 Canine is exhibiting heightened sensitivity to handling, resulting in concerning responses. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/23/26 to provide support and reduce the likelihood of behavior progression. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/24/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/11/2026 How long have you had the animal? 4 DAYS. PET APPROACHED SOURCE'S FAMILY MEMBER WHILE THEY WERE OUT WALKING THEIR OWN DOG. STARTED TO FOLLOW. FOLLOWED SOURCE'S FAMILY MEMBER ALL THE WAY BACK TO CAR AND GOT IN CAR ON OWN. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 87TH AVE AND CAMELBACK RD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? PET HAS 2 RAISED, RED LUMPS ON FORELIMBS. Is animal spayed/neutered? UNK. Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO. Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? PET BIT AT MICROCHIP SCANNER BUT DID NOT BITE HAND OF PERSON HOLDING SCANNER. Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? PET BIT MICROCHIP SCANNER. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO. Was this animal around any children? SOURCE DID NOT INTRODUCE THIS PET TO CHILDREN IN HOME. Did the animal interact with other animals? Cats? NO. Dogs? THIS PET WAS INTRODUCED TO SOURCE'S SMALL DOG AND THEY DID WELL TOGETHER. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NO. Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NO. Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO. Can the animal walk on a leash? YES. Does the animal know any commands? UNK. Where was this animal kept? OUTSIDE. If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? N/A If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? TALL FENCING CONTAINED PET. Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NO. How would you describe the animal’s energy level? MEDIUM Any escapist behavior? NO. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? PET WAS INITIALLY SKITTISH. WARMED UP ADULTS IN HOME. ALLOWED ALL HANDLING, LEASH PLACEMENT, PICKING UP AND PUTTING CAR. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/18/2026 Day 2: Canine did not eat kibble offered on 9/17 9/16/2026 Dog did not eat. 9/15/2026 Laying in middle of kennel with tense body, wide eyes, low growling towards handler. No interest in coaxing but did come forward to eat treats tossed into kennel, able to place leash as dog's head was lowered eating treats. Exited kennel with some pulling, startled by reactive dogs and big fan outside of building, no issues walking to play yard. Once in yard dog skin crawled heavily when leash touched backside, tucked tail, followed handler to bench but did not solicit attentions, scanning environments, wary of handler extending hand out to pet but tolerated pets on body. Veterinarian entered yard to exam dog, dog became tense, head flipped and flinched heavily when vet extended hand out towards dog, whale eye. Once vet left dog would begin to pace around yard, heavy panting, yawning, became startled when leash got stuck on branch, wary of handler approaching to fix leash, able to place clip leash as dog pawed at play yard exit. Walked back to kennel with some pulling, became startled when feeling air from big fan outside of building and started pulling away from building door, able to be coaxed thru, entered kennel on own, used clip leash for leash retrieval. 9/14/2026 Dog would not shift during AM cleaning, would be lying down in back half of kennel. Offered treats, dog would stand up while being whale eyed, curling lips & growling. Cast a large loop leash, dog would do a false lunge forward while growling & baring teeth, would bite leash, drop & retreat back quickly. Handler would toss more treats, dog would not be interested treats & would not come forward. Handler would lean into kennel due to reach, dog would stand with body weight evenly distributed, growling with ears pinned back, curled lips & whale eyed. Handler would cast leash again, dog would catch leash in mouth then drop leash. After a 3rd attempt dog would take slow steps forward, handler would close kennel gate. Able to leash dog while dog would dodge leash placement with a closed mouth & head lowered while @ front of kennel. Walked with verbal coaxing to small PY while sniffing nose to ground. Entered into PY, able to attach a clip leash then drop leash. Dog would explore while having fast tail nub wags, sniffing nose to ground. Would approach handler on own while being whale eyed, keeping head lowered. Offered treats, would sniff treats but not eat them. Extended hand to pet dog, dog would have no reaction to being pet on side of body. Would lower head when being pet on top of head. Would skin crawl when being pet by neck area. Not interested in toys. Handler picked up leash, dog would pull back on leash but quickly settled. Walked slowly back to kennel. Would not enter into front half of kennel, handler would open kennel divider then do a false step into kennel for dog to enter, closed kennel divider. Removed leash with use of pre-attached clip leash. 9/13/2026 k9 did not eat kibble offered on 9/12 - day 2 - adding 2 TBS wet. Dog began eating after wet food was added. 9/12/2026 Dog did not eat day 1 9/11/2026 Leashed with large loop, walking into triage. Dog side eyed, tense body. Whale eyed, skin crawled when petting with leash. Able to muzzlewrap for vaccines, growling when administering. Walked to kennel and entered with no issue, using clip leash for leash removal Name: Anchovy Animal ID: A5171493 Breed: BROWN/BLACK WASH BEAGLE/GERM SHEPHERD Sex: Male Age: 6Y 0M Weight: 46.9 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing F - 169 Intake Date: 9/11/2026 Deadline Date: 9/23/2026