Pina

Pina is an adoptable female Carolina Dog looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. She is a young adult and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Pina, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/7/2026 10/07/26 12:13 Canine has demonstrated low tolerance for leashing and kennel exit, with escalating responses, and other concerning behaviors. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 10/12/26 to support behavioral assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/13/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/30/2026 What is the reason for surrender? LANDLORD WON'T ALLOW THE PET How long have you had your pet? SINCE 12/6/24 Where did you get this animal from? MCACC Is your pet spayed/neutered? SPAYED 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? DECLINED 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? N/A Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? N/A Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO AGGRESSION, FRIENDLY WITH PEOPLE. HAS ONLY BEEN AROUND ONE OTHER DOG, THE TWO DOGS GET ALONG WELL. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? NOT AROUND CHILDREN, LIVES WITH SENIOR ADULTS Please describe behavior around children? N/A Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? LIVES WITH THREE SENIOR ADULTS, ALLOWS HANDLING BY ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? N/A Dogs? GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS, PLAYFUL Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? N/A Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? N/A Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NONE Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? YES Crate trained? NO Leash trained? YES Knows commands? SIT, SHAKE, GO OUT Where was this animal kept? INSIDE AND OUTSIDE WITH DOG DOOR ACCESS Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? CHEWS ON ANYTHING SHE CAN GET AHOLD OF IN THE BACKYARD Last vaccinations / last vet visit? NONE How would you describe your pet's energy level? VERY HIGH ENERGY, VERY PLAYFUL, LOVES TO RUN AROUND Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? NO KNOWN FEARS What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? LOVES TO RUN AND PLAY AND CHEW ON TOYS Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/5/2026 Dog was locked in back kennel for AM cleaning, handler approached back kennel. Dog jumped up on fence and greeted handler and then returned to guillotine area. Handler presented leash and dog began pacing along back wall of kennel near guillotine. When leash was not presented dog would try to push out through gate opening. Handler tried several times to cast leash over head, dog would back into corner and begin standing up. Dog snapped at leash and low growled. Handler tried to get dog to approach gate opening with leash prepared, dog was hesitant but with time stuck head through leash. Handler secured leash, dog had slipped leg through. Handler was able to use misplaced leash to guide second leash on properly as dog stood at gate waiting to be released. Handler secured second leash and walked dog out to PY. Dog walked erratically, rubbing against handlers legs and hitting the end of the leash. Once in PY handler attached leash extension and released dog. Handler sat on bench and dog paced around yard, heavy panting briefly and then approached handler and solicited attention. Handler pet dog briefly and then dog returned to pacing yard. Dog placed front paws on the walls in attempt to scale wall and pawed at exit gates. Dog was brief with any prosocial behaviors and then would return to high FAS, pacing with flagged tail, heavy panting and avoidance of handler. Handler was able to retrieve leash and placed clip leash. Handler walked dog back to kennel, dog was reluctantly to enter kennel, handler used moderate leash pressure to guide in after stepping in and being able to lure about half way in. Handler held dog back and closed gate, dog tried to push pass but handler was able to close gate and maneuver leash off using clip leash. Handler left behind small jackpot. 10/4/2026 Dog was kenneled inside, backing up, tense, paw lift, handler tossed treats and dog leaned forward to sniff but remained at back of kennel, whining, low growling. Handler presented leash, dog continued to growl, tucked tightly into back corner of kennel. Handler went to outside of kennel and opened divider, dog hesitantly came out, pacing back and forth between sides until handler closed divider, opened door, dog was sniffing at opening as handler lowered leash, dog sniffed leash, wide eyes, handler attempted to place leash and dog ducked head to the floor, whale eyes, retreated to back of kennel, siting in divider entry, tense, growling and whining, handler would gently swing leash and dog would duck away, began lip curling at leash, handler spent a minute just gently swinging end of leash closer to dog, dog lip curled and growled each time it came close, handler reattempted with leash loop and dog snapped at leash. Handler stepped away to get a longer leash, when they returned dog was at kennel door but retreated again, hiding by divider, growling and lip licking, handler resumed tossed leash, dog would lip curl, snap, growl, but with repeated attempts dog would lower intensity, grabbing leash with little force, would come forward a bit to sniff at door but then retreat as soon as leash was near, pacing in back of kennel. Handler spent about 10 minutes in total, dog was still growling and avoidant but handler able to lasso leash over head, dog came out of kennel and walked to yard with moderate pull, low posture and avoidant. Came into catch pen, hesitated to enter yard but eventually followed handler in with tucked tail, exploring yard, tense, hyper vigilant. Came up behind handler to sniff them, then walked away, handler sat on bench and dog briefly came up to sniff them, flinched as handler slowly moved hand, ran away, pacing yard, ran up to gate, sniffing and pawing at gate, started jumping up, handler moved closer, kneeling, dog came up and sniffed, allowed soft touch along side, when handlerstopped dog turned and licked their hand, solicited further attention, sitting on handlers lap, looking around yard, panting. Handler gently added clip leash and adjusted stopped while petting, then stood up and walked dog out of yard, dog had moderate pull back to kennel, hesitant to enter, backing away, handler stepped in and dog followed then darted out, mouth at leash, erratic pull, eventually able to lead in with leash pressure, removed leash with clip 10/1/2026 Tense body, low growling, pupils dilated. Handler tried coaxing, dog began lip-curling. Requesting full evaluation. 9/30/2026 allowed leash placement, nervous at first, head low, slow walk on leash, owners walked dog in room, after a few minutes dog softened up. allowed petting, seeking attention, licking handlers hand, walked to kennel after vaccinations were given. 12/4/2024 allowed handler to open kennel & pet; typical puppy behaviour; adoptable @ due out 12/2/2024 Soft calm puppy allowed all handling carried to kennel Name: Pina Animal ID: A5093864 Breed: TRICOLOR CAROLINA DOG/MIX Sex: Spayed Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 39.0 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing B - 168 Intake Date: 9/30/2026 Deadline Date: 10/12/2026