Colby

Colby is an adoptable male Pit Bull Terrier looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. He is a young adult and medium in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 2 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Colby, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/24/2026 09/24/26 14:11 Canine has shown increasing over-arousal resulting in a near bite to staff and is becoming difficult to manage safely while in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 9/29/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/30/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/24/2026 Dog was locked in back kennel for AM cleaning, Handler approached from kennel. Kennel was clean so handler was able to lift guillotine and pull dog from front offering a lower stimulation exit and path to PY. Once dog was in front kennel dog began excitably jumping up at door with dilated pupils. Handler spent a few minutes switching between leashing attempts and deescalating dog with treat tosses. Dog would mouth or bit at leash as handler tried to reach in and maneuver large loop overhead. Handler tried to also lure dog into loop, but dog was too over stimulated. Handler was able to secure leash after a few minutes of trying. Once leash was secure handler opened gate, dog darted out of gate and pulled strongly towards PY. Once in PY, handler adjusted leash stopper and released dog. Dog kept to self, surveying PY for majority of outing. Dog independently sniffed around entire PY and briefly pawed at exits and whined. Handler was able to call dog over a few times, dog approached handler while seated on bench. Dog became excitable once handler began petting and dog began mouthing at handler's hands and arms. Handler was able to distract and toss treats. Dog ate treats and returned to sniffing yard for a minute or so. Dog approached handler again and repeated the same behavior dog began mouthing at handler's arms and then biting at handlers treat pouch on hip. Handler was able to stand up and hold leash taut pulling dog off handler. Dog jumped up and nipped at handlers under arm area (no injury). Dog began biting at leash and pulling on it. Handler dropped leash and grabbed a toy as a distraction. Dog went for toy and allowed handler to retrieve leash. Handler then walked dog to catch pin, dog attempted to mouth at handler's hand while placing clip leash, but handler was able to attach. Handler walked dog back to kennel through empty ward (all other dogs locked in back) dog tried to pull towards empty kennels. Dog entered kennel and began eating left over treats from pull. Handler used clip leash to remove leash and dog briefly fought against and attempted to mouth at leash. Once leash was off dog returned to sniffing out more treats. Handler went to back kennel and shifted dog to back for feeding. 9/23/2026 K9 was being moved from sick kennel to gen pop kennel. Handler was able to leash K9 and remove from kennel and K9 immediately began jumping and tugging hard on leash. When handler went to adjust leash K9 whipped head around and would flail. K9 was difficult to walk to new kennel and kept jumping and tugging at leash. Handler had to receive help from volunteer to remove PPE while dog was tugging and growling. K9 became more difficult to put into new kennel. K9 attempted to fence fight neighboring kennels. When handler got K9 into kennel and tried to remove leash K9 flailed again and whipped head around. Handler slowly attempted on putting clip leash on K9 and during the leash removal process K9 became more jumpy and started tugging and grabbing both leash and clip leash. Eventually was able to remove leashes and secure K9 into kennel. 9/13/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Grabbed at leash, High Energy, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Colby on exit and the way to yard grab a leash a few time-in yard explored and sniffed, sits and nice with treats- jumpy at times and calm at others- used treats for return and remove leash 9/7/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Timid, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Colby is easy to leash 4 on floor, easy on walk loose, wiggly body, explored yard, allowed all handling, solicits attention, calm boy go slow easy to unleash by hand and return 9/2/2026 Handler approached kennel front; Dog was standing at door with loose body and tail wagging; ears perked up as handler says lets go outside; Handler unlocked door and held leash in opening; Dog came forward allowing easy leashing; ignored dogs in passing; moderate pull to yard; stopped and sniffed a few times but keeps going with leash guidance forward; Once in yard handler secured leash and allowed dog time to roam and explore; Dog explored yard for most of time; loose bodied tail wagging swaying around; interested in toys and treats; played fetch briefly; Solicited pets and attention; leaned into petting; jumpy on handler a few times easily redirected down with treats; treat motivated; grabby with treats; Sat for treats; high energy puppy like behavior in yard; remained loose and wiggly entire evaluation; allowed all petting and handling all over; tried to get into handlers lap; When time to go handler grabbed leash and dog followed; remained same body language to kennel; ignored dogs in passing that weren't barrier reactive; seemed interested in neighbor that was barrier reactive pulled towards; wouldn't go back in kennel ; handler tossed in treats and dog went in with ease; unleashed by hand;attention whined at door with tail wagging; 8/28/2026 k9 was brought out of truck kennel with catch pole, k9 growled, k9 high energy, K9 ORANGE DUE TO CATCH POLE, Name: Colby Animal ID: A5170654 Breed: BLUE/WHITE AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Neutered Age: 2Y 1M Weight: 46.0 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing A - 061 Intake Date: 8/28/2026 Deadline Date: 9/29/2026