Kona

Kona is an adoptable female Pit Bull Terrier looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. She is senior and large in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 3 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Kona, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/6/2026 10/06/26 13:45 Canine has shown over-arousal and is difficult to manage safely while in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/11/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/12/26 or sooner if warranted. 2/23/2022 Dog appears to be deteriorating in the kennel. Dog has been on extra enrichment with little change in temperament. Adding to the portal as non-urgent behavior. Intake 9/29/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE STATED THEY ARE MOVING FOR THE MILITARY How long have you had your pet? 4 YEARS Where did you get this animal from? MCACC Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES, 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? NO 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? NO Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? UNKNOWN Please describe behavior around children? UNKNOWN Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? SOURCE STATED DOG IS SUPER PLAYFUL WITH PEOPLE, WAGS TAIL AND LOVES TO JUMP ON PEOPLE OUT OF EXCITEMENT. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? N/A Dogs? SOURCE STATED A4670266 HAS INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DOGS AND HAS BEEN ATTACKED BY DOGS IN THE PAST WHILE ON WALKS AND HAS FOUGHT BACK. SOURCE STATED TO HIS KNOWLEDGE THIS PET HAS NOT BROKEN THE SKIN OF ANOTHER PET. 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? NO Crate trained? NO Leash trained? YES HOWEVER DOES HAVE A STRONG PULL AND DOES BETTER ON HARNESS Knows commands? SIT Where was this animal kept? INDOORS Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO Last vaccinations / last vet visit? N/A How would you describe your pet's energy level? Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? AFRAID OF LONG-HANDLED ITEMS LIKE BROOMS, MOPS, WEED WACKERS, SHOVELS, ETC. What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? SOURCE STATED DOG LOVES GOING FOR WALKS Any escapist behavior? N/A Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? N/A Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/4/2026 Handler approached kennel front, dog was heavy panting at gate with dilated pupils. Handler tried to offer treats, dog was not interested. Handler cracked opened kennel gate and dog attempted to push out, handler stood leaning against gate and was able to drape leash over head and secure. Handler opened gate and dog darted out hitting the end of the leash and spinning back. Dog became reactive towards neighboring kennel, handler was able to guide dog away and out of building. Dog again pulled strongly with tense posture and flagged tail towards another dog being walked to a PY nearby. Handler guided dog to PY and then continued to hold onto dog until other dogs were out of sight. Handler then released dog attached leash extension, dog immediately ran to fenceline and began pacing were other dog previously had been. After a minute or so dog then ran round yard with tense posture and flagged tail, marking and defecating several times while back kicking rocks. Handler tried several times to catch dogs attention, dig displayed no prosocial behaviors towards handler. Handler retrieved leash and had to hold dog back from fenceline to allow a volunteer walking another dog to pass by. Dog barked and pulled towards other dog with great intensity. Handler allowed dog some time to decompress after release, dog again paced fenceline where other dog had passed by. Handler called dog to gate and retrieved leash, handler placed clip leash and walked back to kennel. Dog pulled very strongly again. Dog attempted to pull towards nearby occupied kennels and then began mouthing at leash when guided away. Handler used moderate leash pressure to guide dog un and used clip leash for leash removal. Dog was heavy panting with dilated pupils and handler tried again to deescalate with treats but dog was too overstimulated. 10/3/2026 Dog was at front of kennel, eyes dilated, low tail, ears back, no interest in treats, handler began preparing leash and dog softened, wagging tail at spine level, stood at front and allowed easy leash placement, strong pull out of kennel, saw another dog in passing and pulled toward them, stiff aligned tail, slight pilo erection, handler waited until other dog was out of sight then proceeded to exit building, dog stopped to defecate immediately, resumed strong pull, handler opened catch pen, dog was pulling past yard but eventually entered, defecated again, kicking gravel vigorously, dog was hyper vigilant, head high, ears upright facing outward, deeply furrowed brow, still tail at spine level, dog would pace along fence toward any noises or movements out of yard, stood near handler and tolerated petting but did not solicit, remained alert and scanning around environment, panting, v shaped commissure, dog would briefly disengage to sniff ground and urinate, but would resumed pacing and staring out of fence, handler offered toys and treats but dog was not interested, would not respond to handler when called. Dog was darting back and forth across yard, mildly tense, whining, over stimulated by sounds around yard, handler opted to end evaluation due to rising arousal and lack of disengagement. Dog entered catch pen with handler and allowed them to pick up and adjust leash, strong pull away from kennel building but gradually followed handler back into building, dog was pulling toward neighboring kennels, tense, would not enter kennel, briefly mouthing at leash, handler was eventually able to back dog up and use momentum to get dog into kennel, closed door, removed leash by hand, dog heavily panting. 10/2/2026 Requesting full evaluation due to history 10/1/2026 Wide-eyed, panting, pupils dilated. 9/30/2026 panting, high arousal, drooling, allowed handling, vaccinated, walked to kennel dog reactive 4/8/2022 Easy leash out of life room pulled hard out of liferoom. Pulled all the way to \"J\" yard. Canine quickly jumped on handler's lap when handler sat in chair but handler told the dog \"no\" and pushed canine off and canine stopped. Canine explored yard. Canine saw a dog in the distance and started barking. Canine solicited attention, allowed petting all over and leans into petting. Canine dodged the leash a couple of times with trying to exit yard but after a couple of tries canine allowed leashing. Canine strong pulled back to life room. Canine went into life room easy but slight difficulty unleashing. Handler was reaching over to unleash and canine had open mouth towards the handler's hand but handler was able to unleash after a couple of tries. 4/3/2022 Easy pull from life room. Walked well to yard, calm, solicited attention. Much more aroused on the way back, pulled hard on leash, handler entered life room to unleash, dog was jumping on handler and became very mouthy, mouthing at leash and handler's arms. Handler was able to calm dog and dog sat briefly for handler to exit. Recommending older children and calm household due to dog's tendency to become mouthy and easily over aroused. 4/2/2022 Went out for a walk. 3/30/2022 Easy leash out of life room, pulled out of building and into \"J\" yard. Canine was calm and explored yard. Canine solicited attention, allowed petting all over body and leaned into petting. Canine spotted another dog on a walk and ran up to fence and started barking with back hackles and straight stiff tail. Easy leash out of yard but pulled back to building and not easy return in life room. Canine tried to get out as handler was trying to unleash. 3/29/2022 I went for a walk today 3/19/2022 I went on a walk today. 3/14/2022 dog was in back of kennel on approach, came forward when handler called, soft body, eyes dialated when handler opened gate to leash, was easy to leash but darted out of kennel, strong pull out of shelter, settled somewhat on walk, pulled toward dog she saw in yard, brought to office, not interested in food/bones, came to handler for pets and solicited attention, mostly walked around office, seemed to get more anxious over time so handler took on walk before returning to kennel, returned to kennel with no issues 3/9/2022 Closed guillotine, front of kennel, wiggle body, wagging tail, pushing nose out of kennel making it difficult to leash. Pulled out of building and pulled into yard. Handler left leash on in yard. Canine explored yard and didn't take treats, jumped on handler, distracted by yard, and allowed petting. Handler took canine on a parameter walk, canine pulled out of yard and pulled on walk. Walking back to building canine pulled towards other dogs, handler brought canine in the office for some down time, canine was panting and pacing in office, and didn't take treats. Pulled back to building and easy unleash. 2/23/2022 handler was walking by with hat on, dog barked and growled then ran to outside portion of kennel, not usually how this dog greets handler, handler took hat off and knelt down, dogs body softened, came inside and greeted handler, took treat through gate 2/23/2022 Dog was mouthy with treats through gate in kennel. Handler was able to leash dog fairly easy, dog allowed placement just standing there. Dog did pull out of kennel to other dogs, handler had to pull dog away and out of building swiftly. Handler took advantage of nearby yard and let dog claim before heading for a walk. Dog's eyes went for wide to normal within moments of getting in yard. Handler releashed and applied \"modified harness\" dog walked a little better. Handler walked dog behind facility and dog was much more relaxed. Walked around for a few mintues before heading to quiet yard and allowing some off leash time. Once in yard, dog was very affectionate and rubbed on handler. Dog even gave handler kisses and jumped up lightly on handler for affection. Return was smooth no issues. 2/21/2022 while walking around during spot cleaning, noticed dog was spinning and barking in kennel, would stop for a moment while being fed treats then go back to spinning, eyes dialated 2/15/2022 Dog was grabby with treats, allowed leashing and pulled hard on leash to yard. When dogs walked by, this dog became very stiff and attempted to fence fight. Handler walked dog to a further, quieter yard. Dog solicited attention from handler, laid her head in handler's lap and kicked her back leg when scratched on the neck. Easy return to kennel, allowed leash removal. 2/14/2022 Dog is higly aroused in kennel; jumping and barking frequently; would momentarily settle if handler showed treat but then immediately go back to jumping/bouncing off kennel walls; heavily panting with dialated pupils. 2/1/2022 barking at front of kennel when handler approached, ran to back where handler was when called, aroused, jumping and barking on kennel gate, tried to nip at handlers hand and leash through gate, tossed treats to try and refocus dogs attention, settled briefly then went back to jumping, cracked door open to leash, moderate pull due to jumping, attempted to grab leash once, once leashed pulled hard out of kennel and towards other dogs, handler walked dog to J-yard to see if dog would settle, explored in yard, body softened, approached handler and allowed petting all over but didn't solicite attention, not interested in treats, handler took for quick walk before taking to office for continued time out of kennel, minimal pulling initially then saw a dog through fence, moderate pull to office, sniffed, ate a chew bone, interested in noises outside door, came to handler for pets, brief tail wags, moderate pull back to kennel, pulling towards dogs, attempted to fence fight with neighbor dog, removed leash with clip as precaution 2/1/2022 due to recent observations updating recs/reqs 1/30/2022 per vol Holly C: At front of kennel, jumped up at kennel gate. Handler used treats to get dog to sit. Dog jumped up on gate again, handler got dog to settle with treats and verbal cues. Dog remained in the sit position, easy leash placement. Quick exit from kennel, pulled towards other kennels while exiting wing. Walked to yard, moderate pulling on leash. Once in yard, explored, came when called. Demonstrated sit and took treats nicely. Easily distracted by passing dogs, ran fence line. Handler redirected dog back to engaging with handler with treats. Allowed brief petting of head and under chin. She was not interested in toys in yard. Returned to kennel, pulled again towards kennels, handler shortened leash.Dog entered kennel and allowed leash removal without issue. 12/29/2021 Dog was kennel fighting with neighboring dog, jumping in kennel. Handler tossed treats to distract from kennel fighting. Handler presented hand at kennel door for dog to sniff and dog closed teeth, then resumed kennel fighting. Presented large loop at kennel door and allowed dog to push out. Dog jumped on handler in yard, tried to nip at poop bag holder handing from treat bag. Dog was mostly distracted by the nearby barking dogs. Handler tried to distract by tossing treats, briefly engaged with handler. When handler had hand down with palm facing dog, dog one time closed lips on handler's palm. Allowed brief handling. Handler placed clip leash while still in yard. Strong pull when returning to kennel. Dog immediately started kennel fighting when inside its kennel, redirected on leash when handler was pulling it off and out of kennel via clip leash. 12/23/2021 dog was walked into the ramp on leash and allowed all handling with minimum restraint, dog walked easy and relaxed to the kennel passing by the other kenneled dogs Name: Kona Animal ID: A4670266 Breed: GRAY/WHITE AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Spayed Age: 8Y 1M Weight: 63.0 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing B - 162 Intake Date: 9/30/2026 Deadline Date: 10/11/2026