Stark

Stark is an adoptable male German Shepherd 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 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Stark, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/25/2026 09/25/26 13:09 Canine has demonstrated low tolerance for handling and other concerning behaviors during their time in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/30/26 to facilitate further behavioral evaluation and support. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/1/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/20/2026 How long have you had the animal? ONE HOUR - PHOENIX PD WAS CALLED ABOUT SOME PEOPLE HANGING OUT IN A ALLEY WAY. UPON ARRIVAL THEY NOTICED A DOG TIED UP TO A POLE ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. PD ASKED THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO THE DOG BELONGED TO AND NO ONE ADMITTED TO KNOWING THE DOG. SOMEONE INFORMED PD THAT FEMALE TIED UP THE DOG AND LEFT WATER AND FOOD. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? NEAR 27TH AVE AND INDIAN SCHOOL RD IN PHOENIX, AZ 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. PD STATES THAT HE APPEARS TO BE A LITTLE MALNOURISHED BUT NOT TOO BAD 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, PD DID MENTION THAT UPON APPROACH, THE DOG SNARLED AT HIM, BUT THE DOG ALSO HAS ON A MUZZLE. 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? NO 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? UNKNOWN Can the animal walk on a leash? YES Does the animal know any commands? UNK Where was this animal kept? INSIDE THE VEHICLE 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? N/A Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NO How would you describe the animal’s energy level? CALM, JUST A LITTLE SCARED Any escapist behavior? Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? NOTHING MORE PROVIDED BY PD. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/25/2026 Closed to back portion for AM cleaning. Stood at front; stoic; offered treats; took treats gently; allowed for easy leashing; exited; moderate pull; tense body; stopped to mark several times. In yard, handler walked dog around on leash for a few moments; defecated; handler dropped leash; dog explored; began chasing his tail; handlers were able to verbally redirect; dog approached handlers; tail flagged; sniffed handler; lip licked; tossed treats; dog chased after treats; demonstrated sit; tossed treats up; dog caught treats; handler offered treats by hand; took treats gently; slowly pet; head; tail flagged; closed mouth; stopped petting; dog walked away; started chasing tail again; able to redirect again verbally and also with squeaker toy; approached handlers again; slowly pet; tensed up; tail would curl at the tip; offered treats; took treats gently. Handler slowly approached dog; attempted to pick leash up; dog turned back; walked away; assistant handler was able to distract with treats. Handler was able to pick leash up; exited; moderate pull; entered kennel; removed leash with built in clip leash. 9/24/2026 Closed to front portion of kennel for AM cleaning laying on bed with ears alert, stoic, came forward with tense body and flagged tail wag when offered treats, caught treats tossed into kennel, did not come forward to accept treats offered. Easy leash placement at front of kennel, exited with some pulling, immediately urinated on trash can outside of kennel, flagged tail on way to \"J\" yard but no issues walking to yard. Once in yard dog head flipped quickly when brushing end of leash on back, placed leash stopper slowly and attached extended leash. Dog would spend first half of evaluation slowly pacing around yard to go potty, distant from handler, flagged tail, ears alert, tense bodied. Would come to handler for treats offered, grabby with treats, will catch treats if thrown over. Dog approached handler with neutral body, stood close to handler almost leaning in, when handler lightly brushed hand on body dog began to low growl lightly, whale eye, stiff bodied, slowly turning head towards handler, tossed treat away and dog disengaged and began exploring. Dog had a moment of biting at tail, spinning quickly, did not settle for a few moments but eventually settled. When attempting to recover leash dog was wary of handler attempting to adjust leash from behind dogs paw, would yelp/head flip/turns quickly towards handler but once leash was fixed dog settled, able to attach clip leash as dog was distracted. Walked back to kennel with no issues, would not enter front of kennel, began low growling at neighboring dog with stiff body, hackles raised, lip curling, able to redirect dog away and walk to back portion of kennel with no dogs present, walked into kennel on own, used clip leash for leash retrieval. 9/21/2026 low growl, hard stare, tense, placed c.d. as precaution, did not solicit attention, hard stare at handlers on ramp, brief flailing durring vaccines, growling during vaccines, walked to kennel on c.d., kenneled with no difficulty, continued low growl in kennel 9/20/2026 Source leashed the pet while K9 was wearing a muzzle. Allowed light petting and permitted staff to remove the muzzle. Walked appropriately to the kennel. Once inside the kennel, staff attempted to remove the leash, dog became stiff, displayed a hard stare, bared its teeth, and emitted a low growl. Name: Stark Animal ID: A5171951 Breed: BLACK/BROWN GERM SHEPHERD/MIX Sex: Male Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 82.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing S - 332 Intake Date: 9/20/2026 Deadline Date: 9/30/2026