Koi

Koi is an adoptable male Bullmastiff 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 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Koi, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/30/2026 09/30/26 14:45 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 10/5/26 to facilitate further behavioral evaluation and support. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/6/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 7/22/2026 07/22/26 14:26 MClark Dogs were found together: 5168654 5168692 Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/27/2026 Alarm barking at front of kennel with flagged wagging tail, stiff bodied at first but softened as handler offered treats, accepted treats gently, would begin rythmically demand barking at handler as leash was presented. Continued demand barking as handler attempted to leash, will attempt to push out of kennel door when adjusting leash, able to place large loop over dog with no issues. Dog exited kennel erratically, some spinning, play bowing towards handler, zig zag walking pattern to main play yard, will pull towards kennels to sniff with flagged tail and some neutral body. In yard dog took immediate interest in tennis ball, high energy, would play with ball independetly, distant from handler, no interest in attempts to coax over, allowed handler to approach and reach for ball but wary of handler and will evade handler. Would make way to handler if offered treats, mouthy with treats, knows \"SIT\", flinches away from handler when attempting to pet, hunched over body when backing away from handlers petting attempts, dog did not solicit attentions throughout time in yard, shys head away each petting attempt, repeated this whenever near handler. Would spend most of time playing with tennis ball, flagged wagging tail, tense bodied. Came to handler when called over to exit, wary of handler attaching clip leash with some flinching. Walked back to kennel with no issues, began fence fighting when passing dogs, stiff bodied, some lunging. Walked into kennel on own, used clip leash for leash retireval. 9/26/2026 Assisted volunteer with returning dog to kennel. Volunteer stated dog was alarm barking when she initially approached kennel, then began whining. Also mentioned dog was being reactive to other dogs while in yard. Handler entered yard, dog approached with soft body and wagging tail, sat for treats, took gently. Handler took leash, when attempting to attach clip leash dog would cower away and bark, then soften with wagging tail. Handler tossed treats on ground, able to attach clip leash while dog was distracted. Reactive to kenneled dogs on the way back, easy return, used clip leash. 9/19/2026 , I went on an East meets West walk today! 9/14/2026 MAYBE EVAL FOR PURPLE DUE TO EXCITEMENT AND REACTIVITY TO DOGS AND STRENGTH. 9/14/2026 Dog was closed to front half of kennel. Presented leash, would start to demand bark, offered treats scattered into kennel then leashed while dog would be looking down for treats. Walked with a strong pull on leash to main PY, did stop to turn body, do a shake off then continue to walk forward. Once in PY, dog would start to do zoomies. Would approach handler, take treats gently then return to exploring with nose to ground while keeping tail flagged. Handler would scatter treats onto ground for dog to play find it to help dog settle. Handler would toss a tennis ball, dog would relax body & tail while playing fetch with multiple tennis balls in rotation. Picked up leash, dog would walk with a strong pull on leash to kennel, dog would attempt to fence fight with nearby kennels of reactive dogs, able to redirect dog & continue to walk forward while keeping distance of kennels with leash guidance. Entered back into kennel building without issues & straight into kennel. Removed leash with use of pre-attached clip leash due to dog eating remaining scattered treats in kennel. 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. If introducing to another animal, potential adopters should do so only after proper decompression time in new home. Dogs should be safely and securely separated from each other until on leash dog-dog introduction can be completed in a neutral environment, ideally outside of the home. Potential adopters should not rush dog-dog introductions to ensure the safety and well-being of all animals involved. Keeping previous REQUIREMENT of OLDER CHILDREN 12+. Adding Recommendations of Leash Work & Experienced Handler. 9/12/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, High arousal, Moderate to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Played with toys, Fetch toys, Takes treats nicely, Strong Pull on Leash, Calm, Fence fight attempt, AVOIDANT OF LEASHING BUT ACCEPTED, STRONG PULL TO YARD. ATTEMPTED FENCE FIGHTING ON THE WAY WITH DOG IN YARD. IN YARD, POTTIED & SNIFFED. LOVED TOYS, TUG ROPE AND BALL. FETCHED BALL. PLAY BOWED, ACCEPTED ALL PETS, LEANED IN. NO REACTIVITY BACK TO KENNEL, ENTERED OKAY, UNLEASHED. 9/3/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Grabby at treats, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, pup easy to pull and walk to yard. Friendly gal-loves treats and is a bit grabby taking them. Sips water from tub. Sits in shade. Love this gal. Easy return. When I came to her kennel she was resting but appears to have plenty of energy. 8/24/2026 Playful, Easily startled, Moderate to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Pulled to exit 8/14/2026 Solicited attentions, Avoidant, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Timid, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Timid guy who likes to explore his surroundings first before approaching handler. Avoidant at first but opened up with some treats. Easy kennel return 8/3/2026 Avoidant, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Timid, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Dog exited nicely. Appears potty trained. Hesitant to approach me.Came forward, then backed up a little on several occasions. Wants to be friendly, just too nervous. Did take treats out of my stretched out hand. Scared but sweet.Will blossom out of his environment! 7/25/2026 Closed inside for AM cleaning. Dog was sitting at kennel door, eyes wide, stoic, stared at handler, not interested in treats. Softened with low tail wags when presented with leash, easy leash placement, no issues walking to yard, ignored kenneled dogs. Affiliative with handler, approached with soft body and wagging tail, sat next to handler, eyes soft, panting, allowed petting all over, explored yard, nose to ground, calm, neutral body, returned to handler soliciting more attention, sat for treats, took gently, allowed more pets. Able to pick up leash and attach clip leash, while walking past main play yard dog noticed another dog playing excitedly with beach ball, dog began pulling towards fence, ears perked, tail wagging, appeared interested, able to redirect away with mild leash pressure, no issues walking back to kennel, easy return, allowed handler to remove leash by hand. *Potential adopters should be counseled on slow introductions and proper decompression time to allow dog to adjust to new home. Placing Older Children 12+ due to touch sensitivity on intake. 7/24/2026 Dog was at front of kennel, stoic, staring at handler. Retreated outside. Handler tossed treats into kennel, dog cautiously came back inside and ate them. Handler closed divider, dog flinched. Dog came forward when offered treats through gate, took them gently. Continued to stare intently at handler, did not soften or relax when coaxed. Remained at front, allowed leash placement without issue. Walked slowly, tail down, cautious, but no issues on way to main yard. Handler adjusted leash stopper while dog was sniffing, then released leash. Dog wandered off, kept some distance from handlers. Displayed mostly neutral body language while sniffing, would become more tense when looking up at handlers when called. Would not approach. After a few minutes, handlers began slowly approaching dog. Dog accepted treats tossed nearby, began accepting treats gently from hand. Allowed brief petting on top of head, wagged tail, then ducked head away. Accepted more treats, appeared cautious but would intermittently wag tail. Shied away from more petting. Handler tossed treats, retrieved leashed. Dog walked back with light pull, stood calmly by handlers while waiting for customers to pass. Entered kennel with light direction. Leash removed via clip lead as precaution; dog began wagging tail when coaxed softly. 7/21/2026 K9 was hard staring from trap. Lip licking, side eye. Control device and elevator used to load dog in to truck without incident 7/21/2026 placed onto c.d., fought leashing, frantic during weight check, low grumble during vaccs, able to complete vaccines with no extreme difficulty, canine settled and was able to transfer to a slip lead go slow - advise no touching face / muzzle or getting in face Name: Koi Animal ID: A5168654 Breed: BROWN/WHITE AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Neutered Age: 2Y 3M Weight: 60.4 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing D - 119 Intake Date: 7/21/2026 Deadline Date: 10/5/2026