Penny

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

Memo 9/23/2026 09/23/26 14:28 Canine is exhibiting heightened sensitivity to handling, resulting in concerning responses. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/28/26 to provide support and reduce the likelihood of behavior progression. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/29/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/13/2026 How long have you had the animal? ONE WEEK. SOURCE STATES THAT THIS DOG HAS BEEN ROAMING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THE LAST 3 WEEKS. SHE WILL COME TO THE SOURCE'S PROPERTY, SHE WOULD LEAVE AND THEN SHE WOULD COME BACK. UPON APPROACH, THE DOG HAS BEEN VERY FRIENDLY AND HASN'T SHOWN ANY AGGRESSION. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 83RD AVE AND LOWER BUCKEYE 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? NO 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? NO Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? Was this animal around any children? YES, A 9 MONTHS OLD CHILD, BUT SOURCE KEPT THIS DOG AWAY FROM THE BABY. Did the animal interact with other animals? NO Cats? Dogs? 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? UNKNOWN Does the animal know any commands? UNKNOWN Where was this animal kept? INSIDE, FREE ROAMING. SOURCE STATES THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN THE DOG IN BEFORE, BUT EVERY TIME THEY OPEN THE DOOR SHE WOULD RUN OUT AND THEY WOULD THINK SHE WOULD GO HOME, BUT SHE COMES BACK 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? BLOCK WALL Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? YES, SOURCE STATES THAT SHE LIKES TO CHEW ON THE COUCH How would you describe the animal’s energy level? A LOT OF ENERGY Any escapist behavior? YES, WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR SHE WILL DASH OUT. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SOURCE STATES THAT SHE HAS BEEN FRIENDLY. SHE SEEKS ATTENTION AND LOVES PETTING. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/19/2026 Dog was lying in the corner, low growling and hard staring as handler approached. Unable to coax forward verbally or with treats, ate treats tossed nearby. Took a couple attempts to place leash due to air snapping, no longer interested in treats. Tense and side eyed as handler lightly touched dog with blanket, growled as handler slowly picked up, flinched as handler adjusted leash stopper, carried to small yard due to no available indoor space. Handler placed dog on ground, dog sat between handler's feet, trembling, scanning surroundings, explored yard briefly while remaining close to handler, easily startled by noises, flinched when touched but allowed petting all over, continued scanning surroundings, did not seek attention from handler. Able to pick up and carry back to kennel, flinched as handler removed leash, returned to kennel. 9/18/2026 Sitting in back corner; growling; offered treats; not interested; flinched when tossed treats; not interested; continued growling; raised front paw; slowly opened kennel door; started eating tossed treats; hard staring handler; ears back; lasso leashed; vocal; grabbed at leash; still able to place leash over head with large loop; settled; remained in back corner; tense; slowly placed blanket; allowed handler to pick up and blanket wrap; carried to meet and greet room. In room, placed on floor; remained in place; moved closer to handler; sat; nearby; whale eyed; raised front paw; not interested in treats; slowly moved away; started exploring; came back to handler; sniffed; offered hand; sniffed; tried to pet; lip licked; moved away; walked away; sat under chair; remained under chair for entire time; tossed treats; not interested; handler tried to approach; began low growling; moved chair away; dog moved away; picked leash up; allowed handler to place blanket over; slowly picked up; blanket wrapped; carried back to kennel; slowly removed leash; placed back in kennel. 9/15/2026 laying at back of kennel, tense body, trembling, ears forward, growled when approached. requesting full eval based on kennel presentation. 9/13/2026 Easy leashing, carried into Triage. Tolerated restraint for vaccines and allowed all petting. Carried to kennel and entered with no issue Name: Penny Animal ID: A5171572 Breed: WHITE/TAN CHIHUAHUA SH/MIX Sex: Female Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 10.6 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing K - 425 Intake Date: 9/13/2026 Deadline Date: 9/28/2026