Hercules

Hercules is an adoptable male Doberman Pinscher 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 Hercules, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/22/2026 09/22/26 15:19 Due to a prior bite and related circumstances, canine requires placement in a secure, well-managed environment. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 9/27/26 to ensure appropriate behavioral support and reduce risk of recurrence. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/28/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/16/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE STATES DOG HAS SHOWN A DIFFERENCE IN BEHAVIOR, HAS BEEN MOUTHY AND LUNGED AT OTHERS How long have you had your pet? HAS HAD DOG SINCE 8/22, BUT THE DOG HAS BEEN IN THE HOUSE FOR OVER A YEAR Where did you get this animal from? FOUND AS A STRAY ON THE STREET Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES 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 We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? N/A Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? YES. SOURCE WAS OUTSIDE WITH THE DOG THROWING A STICK. SOURCE STATED THE DOG RAN AFTER THE STICK, TURNED AROUND AND THEN CAME BACK TO SOURCE AND BIT THEM ON THE ARM. DOG DID NOT BREAK SKIN, BRUISING OCCURRED. WHEN SOURCE WAS ON A WALK WITH THE DOG, THE DOG PULLED TOWARDS A CHILD THAT WAS STANDING NEAR A BUS STOP. SOURCE STATED THE DOG BEGAN BARKING AND PULLING TOWARDS THE CHILD. SOURCE STATED THERE WAS NO GROWLING, BUT DID STATE THE DOG AIR SNAPPED TOWARDS THE CHILD. SOURCE ALSO STATED THE DOG IS MOUTHY AND WILL NIP FOR ATTENTION. Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? N/A Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? N/A Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? YES, DOG WILL GROWL AT NEW PEOPLE COMING INTO THE HOUSE. DOG HAS SHOWN TO BARK AT OTHER PEOPLE WHEN ON A WALK. SOURCE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE INCIDENCES OF AIR BITES AND NEAR BITES WERE OF AN AGGRESSIVE NATURE. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? YES, 9-13 YEARS OLD. Please describe behavior around children? SOURCE STATES THE DOG IS VERY ENERGETIC AROUND CHILDREN. DOG WILL JUMP FOR ATTENTION. FRIENDLY AND PLAYFUL WITH CHILDREN. ALLOWS ALL PETTING FROM THE CHILDREN. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 5 MEMBERS IN HOUSEHOLD. DOG IS VERY FRIENDLY AND PLAYFUL WITH ALL MEMBERS IN HOUSEHOLD. SOURCE STATES THE DOG WILL JUMP FOR ATTENTION FROM EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE. ALLOWS ALL PETTING AND HANDLING FROM ALL MEMBERS OF HOUSEHOLD. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? NO Dogs? YES, AROUND SOURCE'S 1 LARGE DOG. SOURCE STATES THE DOG IS VERY FRIENDLY AND PLAYFUL WITH THE OTHER DOG. SOURCE STATES THE DOG LIKES TO PLAY ROUGH. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NONE Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NONE Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NONE Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES, WILL PEE WHEN GETTING TOO EXCITED Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? YES Leash trained? YES, PULLS Knows commands? SIT, STAY, WAIT, LEAVE IT, \"HERCULES\", RECALL PHRASE \"PERSEPHONE'S COMING\" Where was this animal kept? INSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? CHEWED ON FURNITURE, CLOTHES, BLANKETS, AND TOWELS. WILL COUNTER SURF. DIGGING IN YARD. WILL CHEW AND LICK PAINT OFF OF WATER BOWL. Last vaccinations / last vet visit? UNKNOWN How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH ENERGY Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? FIREWORKS: WILL WHINE AND BARK, BATHS/SHOWER- PANCAKES AND FREEZES What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? HARD TOYS, CHEW TOYS, RUN AT THE DOG PARK, CHEWING ON ALL ITEMS Any escapist behavior? YES Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? WHEN BACK GATE WAS LEFT OPEN, THIS DOG GOT OUT. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? TAKES A WHILE TO SETTLE DOWN AND SOURCE STATES SHE RUBS HIS CHEST TO HELP HIM CALM. HAS DOUBLE DEWCLAWS ON BOTH HIND LEGS AND DOES NOT LIKE THEM TOUCHED. SOURCE STATES HE DOES WHINE FOR ATTENTION. SOURCE STATES THEY PUT A BLANKET OVER HIS KENNEL, AND HE LIKES TO HIDE UNDER THE BED. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/23/2026 Day 2 of dog not eating. Will offer wet - dog was observed to not eat wet or dry previous day. 9/22/2026 K9 neuteral body language on appraoch, easy leash placement. walked well to clinic, allowed second handler to feel for testicles to determine k9 as neutered. K9 walked with loose leash outside, urinated, walked back to clinic. allowed handling and petting from all staff in clinic. No issues returning to kennel, leash removed by hand. 9/22/2026 Dog did not eat day 1 as dog ate yesterday. 9/20/2026 Closed to back portion of kennel for AM cleaning with tail tightly tucked, ears dropped back, wide eyed, very timid. No interested in treats or coaxing, frozen in place. Slowly paced in middle of kennel as door was opened, allowed handler to place large loop over head with no issues. Walked with some pulling, tense bodied and tail tucked, scanning environment throughout, no reactivity to dogs or staff in passing, shook off once outside with more neutral body but tail tucked, tolerated petting on back when near handler. No reaction towards handler placing extending leash once in yard, slow pacing in yard distant from handlers once leash was dropped, tail tucked, eyes wide, ears alert, head lowered with some heavy panting, not interested in handlers for first half of evaluation, some hard staring towards handler when urinating, tolerated quick pets on body when pacing near handler but overall wary of handlers and environment. Used recall phrase \"persephone's coming\" and dog had slight softer body, head lowered, relaxed tail when approaching handlers, would sniff and tolerated petting on head but some flinching when first petted, did slowly walk closer to handler when petting on head before pacing near play yard exit for remainder of evaluation. No reaction towards leash being retrieved, walked back to kennel with no issues. No reaction towards clip leash being placed when approaching kennel, walked into kennel on own and approached front of kennel with head lowered, allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 9/20/2026 Day 2 of dog not eating. Adding 2 TBS of wet. Dog ate meal. Adding wet food sign 9/19/2026 Closed to back half for AM cleaning. Dog was tense as handler approached, head low, whale eyed, not interested in treats. Avoidant of leash placement, would back away and duck head, after a few attempts handler was able to reach in and place leash with large loop. Dog exited kennel, tail tucked, low posture, scanning surroundings, frequently looked back towards assistant handler, overall no issues walking to J yard. Able to adjust leash stopper, attached extended leash, dog explored yard, nose to ground, tail low and untucked, ignored treats tossed around yard, approached assistant handler and sniffed, remained neutral, approached lead handler, sniffed hand, allowed handler to pet all over, continued exploring. Dog waited at gate, able to pick up leash and adjust stopper, moderate pull back, easy return, used clip leash. 9/19/2026 dog did not eat day 1 9/16/2026 Upon approach canine was hard staring, wide eyed, skin crawling when trying to pet with leash, furrowed brows, had owner walk canine to S wing kennel. 9/16/2026 walked into ramp with control device, heavy restraint for vaccines (c.d.), stood still for vaccines, lip licking, tai tucking, panting, whale eyes, tollerates some petting - use caution (with c.d), allows most handling (with c.d), tense Name: Hercules Animal ID: A5171751 Breed: BROWN/BLACK GERM SHEPHERD/DOBERMAN PINSCH Sex: Neutered Age: 1Y 5M Weight: 71.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing S - 322 Intake Date: 9/16/2026 Deadline Date: 9/27/2026