Cesar

Cesar 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 3 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Cesar, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/1/2026 10/01/26 17:06 Canine has a history of concerning behavior toward animals in a previous environment. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/6/26 to provide secure management, behavioral evaluation, and any needed support. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/7/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/26/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE STATED THAT THIS DOG IS FIGHTING WITH THEIR OTHER DOG. ALSO, THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE TRAINING IT WOULD REQUIRE TO PROPERLY CARE FOR THIS DOG. How long have you had your pet? 1 YEAR 4 MONTHS Where did you get this animal from? MCACC Is your pet spayed/neutered? NEUTERED 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 We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL REHOMING THIS PET WITH THE RESOURCES PROVIDED. Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? NO Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? NO Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? YES, THIS DOG IS DOG AGGRESSIVE. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? THIS DOG BIT THE OTHER HOUSEHOLD DOG ON THE HEAD AND FACE. SOURCE SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE PET AND WAS ABLE TO TREAT TOPICALLY WITH NO STITCHES NEEDED, ONLY TOPICAL OINTMENT. How is the animal around children? YES Please describe behavior around children? SOURCE STATED THIS DOG IS FRIENDLY AND PLAYFUL BUT IS TOO STRONG AND JUMPS ON THE CHILDREN. RECOMMENDS KIDS AGES 12 AND OVER. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 4 ADULTS LIVE IN HOME AND 2 KIDS VISIT ON WEEKENDS. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? SOURCE STATED THAT THIS DOG BARKS, LUNGES, AND GROWLS AT ALL OTHER PETS. SOURCE HAS TO RESTRAIN THE DOG TO PREVENT ATTACKS. Cats? YES Dogs? YES 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? NO Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? NO Leash trained? YES BUT PULLS Knows commands? COME, SIT, AND STOP. Where was this animal kept? IN AND OUTSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO Last vaccinations / last vet visit? 5/25 How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH AND ENERGETIC Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? FIREWORKS What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? SQUEAKY TOYS Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? 4/12/2025 How long have you had the animal? SINCE 4/4/25 Has the animal been around other animals? What kind of animals? How would you describe the interaction with other animals? NO Was the animal around any other people or children? If yes, how would you describe the animals behavior towards other people/children? NO Has the animal shown any aggression around other people? Might want to include a few examples of what aggression looks like. Barking, growling, lunging, etc.? If yes, what were the circumstances? NO, HE IS VERY FRIENDLY AND PLAYFUL Did you keep the animal inside or outside? INSIDE If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam? Was the animal destructive in any way? FREE ROAMING. NOT DESTRUCTIVE If outside, what kind of fencing do you have and did it contain the animal? CEMENT WALL 6FT Did the animal show any aggression, like **growling, curling their lips, lunging** around food, toys, or bones? NO Has the animal shown any signs of illness? NO Does the animal walk on a leash? YES, VERY STRONG AND PULLS Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/1/2026 Updating color due to NHO status. 9/30/2026 Handler approached kennel front; Dog was loose wiggly bodied; tail wagging; Handler unlocked door and held leash in opening; dog came forward and allowed easy leashing; moderate pull to yard; Interested in dogs in passing; light chuffing as he walked through corridors of building; alert; Handler exited building and dog walked straight into yard; Readily ready to explore; Handler secured leash and allowed dog to decompress; Dog was sniffing around briefly as handler walked to bench; Dog ran up and solicited pets and attention to handler; Loose wiggly bodied; Wagging tail allowed petting and handling all over; Shortly later urinated; Engaged in play with handler; Chased after ball and brought back to handler; handler alternated between tossing two balls as dog dropped handler would toss another; Dog had high energy did jump on handler multiple times with excitement of tossing ball; Handler gave treats; dog is treat motivated; grabby but takes gently with time; Continued to play and solicit pets from handler; Other dogs surrounding yard nearby were barking; Dog would go up to fence line; hyperfocus and pace front; light chuffing; small pilo along back near neck area; handler called by name; Dog would disengage with ease; continued to play; would walk yard at fence line; peer in distance, light chuffing at area he was looking at; disengaged on own; When time to go handler walked to exit; dog followed; Allowed leash grab and adjustment; walked with same moderate pull to kennel; walked by kennels alert; ears to side as we walked; no dogs in passing; Dog walked right into kennel; unleashed by hand with ease; 9/29/2026 Handler approached kennel front, dog was locked in front kennel for AM cleaning. Dog was excitable, loose in posture with dilated pupils. Handler was able to drape large loop over head with moderate attempts to push out from dog while gate was slightly cracked open. Handler secured leash and opened gate, dog pulled strongly to PY. Once in PY handler adjusted leash stopper and released dog. Dog surveyed PY independently for a little bit and then found a ball toy. Dog picked up ball and carried around for a bit before bringing it to handler. Handler tossed treat out in trade for ball and then initiated fetch play, swapping out the two ball toys. Dog continued to play fetch like this for about 5 minutes with brief short breaks. Dog remained loose in posture when directly interacting with female handler. Dog urinated and defecated. Dog Charged fence line as male FMD staff passed by to change HVAC filters. Dog paced with tense posture, pilo and flagged tail. Handler was able to recall dog after a few seconds and continued with game. ACT member (male) walked by and dog followed fence line again with less intensity in posture but light chuffing. Handler sat on bench and dog lost interest in game and returned to sniffing around PY. Handler retrieved leash after a few minutes and walked dog back to kennel. Handler placed clip leash and dog pulled moderately on return with hesitancy through doorways. Handler used light leash pressure to guide dog into kennel an then removed leash by hand. 9/28/2026 Requesting full eval due to history. 9/26/2026 Easy walking into triage, friendly, seeking attention. No vaccines needed. Allowed all petting and handling. Walked to kennel. 5/13/2025 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Fetch toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Timid, Appeared interested when walking past kennels, Sit, Easy pull form k with some pull to yard. Quickly picks up toy and runs with it. Loves to play fetch with any toy. Sips from tub. Knows sit and is gentle. Curious of barking dogs-runs along fence line with people and dogs. Affectionate and friendly. Easy return. 5/6/2025 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Fetch toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, High Energy, Appeared interested when walking past kennels, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, easy pull,return as easy. Knows \"sit\" and loves treats. Picks up toys in yard and runs with them. Runs after and returns-all toys. Fast run all over yard. Great on trail-mostly loose-leash. Friendly and affectionate. P 4/30/2025 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Sweet boy, loves toys, allows petting on head and body, soft body and tail wagging. 4/28/2025 added wet food to stimulate appetite. 4/22/2025 Easily startled, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Sit, locked outside for pull, ignored other dogs, came to me in yard, but when I used hose to fill pool and water dish he went to the corner with tail tucked and shaking, then returned to come to me puts his paws on my lap and stayed near for petting, barked at fence at passing dog. 4/15/2025 Dog was in back kennel on handlers front kennel approach. Handler tried for a few minutes to lure dog inside with treats, dog would not come in. Handler approached back kennel and dog displayed stiff body language with low/slow wagging tail. Handler kennel flirted with dog for a minute and dog loosened up. Handler was able to easily leash and pull dog out of kennel. Dog did not show any signs of reactivity towards neighboring barking dogs besides raising hackles. Once on walking path to play yards dog became more stiff when seeing other dogs and began to bark and pull towards them. Dog pulls strongly on walk without triggers present as well. Handler decided to try lower yards for less stimuli. Dog had stiff body language for majority of outing with tail flagged high. When called, dog would approach and loosen body language momentarily. Handler tried to offer treats to dog several times dog was not interested. Dog picked up a toy and dropped it, handler tried to engage in fetch with dog, dog was not interested. Handler prepped clip leash while exiting lower play yard. On walk back to kennel dog again showed hackles the entire time and barked and lunged at occupied kennels. When approahing dogs kennel, dog entered with no issue and handler was able to remove leash with clip lead. 4/13/2025 Had slight whale eyes with ear back and was trembling when handler approached. Body was sitting in crotched low stance but was fairly loose. Did not take treat from handler's hand but did engage with treat once handler dropped it in kennel. Body began to loosen up more however remained in a lower crotched stance with ear back and soft whale eyes. 4/12/2025 Dog reactive in lobby. Easy leashing, walking into Bubble. Tolerated restraint for vaccines and allowed all petting. Walked to kennel with strong pull and entered with no issue Name: Cesar Animal ID: A5138273 Breed: BROWN/WHITE AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Neutered Age: 2Y 6M Weight: 59.0 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing S - 209 Intake Date: 9/26/2026 Deadline Date: 10/6/2026 *9+6