Onyx

Onyx is an adoptable female Black Labrador Retriever looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a young adult and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Onyx, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/30/2026 09/30/26 12:50 Canine has a history of concerning behavior toward a cat while at large with another dog resulting in an extreme circumstance. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/5/26 to provide secure management, behavioral evaluation, and any needed support. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/6/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/23/2026 09/23/26 15:50 A5172122 and A5172123 found together and killed a cat together 09/30/26 12:45 Per activity notes: Two at large dogs chased a stray cat into an unknown person's outdoor laundry room, closed the door in the attack, and killed the cat. The dogs were confined in there with the dead cat. The complainant went to do laundry and the dog(s) barked at her aggressively so she closed the door again. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/30/2026 Updating color due to NHO status. 9/27/2026 Dog was lying on kuranda bed when approaching kennel. Able to verbally coax forward, while dog would look up with a soft face. Leashed then verbally coaxed dog to continue to walk out of kennel, would pull back on leash once out of kennel. Able to pick up dog & place into behavior taxi. Rode well to small PY. Would explore with nose to ground while sniffing with fast tail wags. Approached handler on own, leaning in between handlers legs for petting. Maintained a relaxed & soft body while soliciting attention from handler. Would take treats in a mouthy manner. Handler would walk around in PY, dog would continue to explore. Verbally coaxed dog back to handler, dog would approach with fast tail wags. Picked up leash, would walk slowly around PY then lay down once @ airlock gate, unable to keep verbally coaxing to walk out of PY. Picked up dog & carried back to behavior taxi. Rode well back to kennel. Exited back into kennel on own & allowed leash removal to be done by hand without issues. This dog can be mouthy when taking treats.  Treats should be given from an open palmed hand, and adopters should be advised on safe treat-giving practices.  Placing Recommendation of Older Children. 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. ***Interested parties should be aware of all intake notes. Placing NO SMALL ANIMALS & NO CATS as a REQUIREMENT due to history in activity notes. *Needs Behavior Taxi 9/26/2026 Standing at front of kennel; tossed treats; slowly came forward for treats; closed divider; allowed handler to easily leash; opened kennel door; froze at front of kennel; made treat trail; placed behavior taxi right at front; dog slowly followed treat trail; exited slowly; made treat trail into behavior taxi; startled by staff walking past; walked away from taxi; continued to make treat trail; dog slowly followed; eventually made way into behavior taxi; handler titled taxi upright; dog tried backing out; handler was able to lift lower end fully into taxi. Rode well to yard. In yard, dog remained in behavior taxi for a few moments; slowly exited; sniffed nose to ground; slowly approached handler; soft face; allowed for slow petting; offered treat; took treat gently; walked away; slowly sniffed nearby; laid down; handler tossed treats; dog followed after treats; allowed handler to slowly approach; allowed for slow petting; handler tossed treats in direction of behavior taxi; followed after treats made way into behavior taxi. Rode well; allowed for petting; brief tail wags; exited taxi; entered kennel; allowed handler to removed leash; soft face; low brief tail wags; allowed for petting. 9/23/2026 Had just finished killing a cat with another dog; while the other dog was possessive of the dead cat, this dog hid and allowed cautious handling with no signs of outward aggression or hardness. No leash skills. 9/23/2026 does not walk on leash, allows most handling and petting, mild restraint for vaccines, nervous, tense body, tail tucking, hard staring, whale eyes, go slow when handling, used pet taxi to transport to kennel Name: Onyx Animal ID: A5172123 Breed: BLACK/WHITE AM PIT BULL TER/LABRADOR RETR Sex: Female Age: 1Y 1M Weight: 41.8 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing G - 202 Intake Date: 9/23/2026 Deadline Date: 10/5/2026