Winston

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

Requirements OLDER CHILDREN 12+ Recommendations GO SLOW FAMILY INTRODUCTION Memo 9/23/2026 09/23/26 15:13 This dog is experiencing significant stress and anxiety in the shelter, particularly while kenneled. These behaviors are often a response to the overwhelming sights, sounds, and confinement, along with the lack of choice or control over their environment. Although this dog continues to show appropriate behavior outside of the kennel with positive interactions with staff and volunteers,without intervention, well-being will continue to decline. Immediate placement is needed with an experienced adopter or New Hope Partner who can provide time and space to decompress in a calm, supportive home. Placement needed by close of business 9/28/26. May be at risk of euthanasia 9/29/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/23/2026 Dog was standing @ front of kennel with fast tail wag. Opened kennel gate & leashed without issues. Would stand @ edge of kennel while looking down, would look up towards handler & start to make a crying sound. Handler would pick up dog & place onto ground. Dog would do a shake off of body then walk to PY with a relaxed body. Would explore PY with nose to ground. Approached handler on own & when called over. Would gently take treats. Leaned into handler while being pet on body. Would go to middle of PY, lay down, roll over & scoot side of body along turf followed by quickly flipping back over then doing zoomies. Picked up dog without issues, allowed petting. Placed back onto ground then walked back to kennel with no pull on leash, having a wiggly body. Picked up & placed back into kennel, removed leash by hand. *Families should be counseled on safe containment and supervision practices. Interested parties should be counseled on providing this dog with proper decompression time in a new home.  Allowing time to adjust is important for their comfort and well-being.  Adopters should be counseled on proper dog-to-dog introductions, which should only occur after the dog has fully decompressed. **Placing OLDER CHILDREN 12+ as a REQUIREMENT. Interested parties should be made aware of all intake & observation notes. 9/22/2026 Approached front of kennel; relaxed; tail wagging; ate tossed treats; opened kennel door; approached front; allowed for easy leashing; jumped down; walked well; stopped to sniff. In yard, dog rolled all over on ground; explored; urinated; defecated; approached handler for treats; took treats gently; allowed for all petting; ocassionally checked in with handler; rolled all over ground several times; allowed handler to slowly approach; reached out to pet; head shy; tolerated slow petting; eventually leaned into petting. Walked well back to kennel; tossed treats into kennel; dog jumped up into kennel; allowed for leash removal. 9/22/2026 Requesting 2nd attempt. 9/16/2026 Rhythmic pacing in kennel, began snarling and lunging at kennel gate, appeared fixated on handler's legs. Handler tried coaxing, dog remained tense, teeth bared. 9/16/2026 Stiff bodied, low growling as handler walked into room, came lunging forward baring teeth as handler approached kennel, settled for treats offered but returned to baring teeth and lunging forward. 9/15/2026 immidiately charged me when walking to door, ran when approched but barking and growling the entire time. used control device to capture, once captured he calmed down but stiff body, hard stare. 9/15/2026 carried onto ramp with blanket, allows most handling and petting, takes treats gently, mild restraint for vaccines, nervous and avoidant with handler, timid, shaking orange due to behavior in field Name: Winston Animal ID: A5171658 Breed: BLACK/WHITE CHIHUAHUA SH Sex: Male Age: 6Y 0M Weight: 13.4 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing K - 432 Intake Date: 9/15/2026 Deadline Date: 9/28/2026