Poutine

Poutine is an adoptable male French Bulldog looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. He is a young adult and small in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 3 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Poutine, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/13/2026 10/13/26 14:34 Canine has shown inconsistent responses to handlers, including episodes of behavior escalation. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 10/18/26 to prevent further progression and support ongoing evaluation. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/19/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/29/2026 09/29/26 17:30 A. Muckerman Found together: A5172387 A5172395 Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/12/2026 (1 of 2) Dog was at front of kennel, alarm barking before handler was in sight, dog was tense, stiff tail, handler spoke softly and tossed treats, dog ate eagerly and returned to front of kennel, less tense but still alert, gave a soft low tail wag. Handler sat at front of kennel and hand fed through door, dog focused on treats, handler held leash up to kennel and dog immediately backed up, barking, tense face and showing teeth. Handler would do brief desensitization, holding up leash to kennel door, marking and rewarding each time leash was presented. Dog stayed at front, tense face, would quiver lip at leash a few times but then stopped reacting to leash. Handler repeated process with leash held as a loop, dog watched with wide eyes but continued to take treats, non-reactive. Handler stood and opened door, dog began alarm barking, tense, weight shifted back, handler continued desensitization process and held leash in, mark and reward. Would start to touch leash to dog, dog would flinch away but come forward again for treat. Handler draped leash over head, dog bit at it briefly, handler removed leash, reset, attempted again, dog backed away and lowered head, ducking out of leash at last second, handler reset, successfully placed leash on 3rd attempt. Handler opened door, dog stood at threshold peeking out, furrowed brow, slowly stepped out for treats, followed handler out of wing, froze in place, looking around with wide eyes, handler took a few steps forward and crouched down, dog ran up to them, leaning against them for comfort, allowing petting, handler repeated this process until they reached M&G room, dog walked right in, handler sat on chair and dog jumped up with front paws on their lap, neutral body, low tail, allowed all petting. Handler tossed treats and dog chased after them, handler then knelt on floor and dog returned, neutral, highly treat motivated, handler began tossing treats around the room, dog would chase after them with a slight bounce in step, returning to handler in between tosses. Dog would occasionally pause and stare out window of room toward sounds or people passing by, furrowed brow, disengaged independently and resumed seeking treats from handler. Handler would call dog over and dog came up with neutral body, leaning head against them for neck scratches, allowed petting all over, sat in front of handler with back toward them, watching out of window. Handler spent a few more minutes giving dog treats and petting, 10/12/2026 (2 of 2) Handler adjusted leash stopper and was about to place clip leash when dog jumped down off their lap and got both front legs stuck through leash loop, handler let leash slip off dogs rear and then handed dog treats while placing leash back over head, dog slightly wide eyed and leaning back but tolerated, handler added clip leash, dog walked a few steps out of room but would freeze again, handler crouched and called dog, dog came up for petting, dog walked the rest of the way back, attempting to run at end of leash, walked back into kennel easily and allowed leash removal with clip leash. 10/10/2026 With approval from EES, attempted to remove dog from kennel to move to sick wing. Handler is familar to canine through frequent kennel flirting, but had not previously attempted to leash or pull. On approach, canine was at front of kennel, stoic. Handler knelt down, dog wagged tail slightly. Opened kennel door, dog stayed near corner of door, but no reaction towards handler. Offered some treats which dog eagerly took, offered hand to dog, canine sniffed and then pushed head into handler's hand. Handler pet dog across head and back, dog relaxing in to touch. Showed dog leash, dog took a step back but once handler gave some soft pets, dog reapproached. Placed leash on floor near dog to allow him a chance to smell it. Slowly placed leash over canine's head, & placed clip lead, canine did not react, continued to seek affection from handler. Handler opened door the rest of the way and took a few steps back to encourage canine to come out. Canine slowly stepped out of kennel, and then placed front paws up on handler's leg. Handler knelt down and canine hopped into handler's lap. Allowed handler to pet all over and pick up. While being carried, dog was alert to his surroundings but non-reactive. Passed by several staff and volunteers, dog just watched. Canine's new kennel was not ready, so handler elected to take dog to yard before returning to current kennel. In yard canine stayed close to handler, observing surroundings. Didn't explore and would just follow handler around. Handler picked canine back up when time to go back, canine was soft bodied. While walking dog back to kennel, passed by EES and dog approached, curious. Accepted hot dogs tossed to him, and allowed 2nd handler to pet him. Easily returned to kennel, removed leash by hand. 10/10/2026 Handler approached kennel, dog barked, tense body, forward posture, tight lip, handler tossed treats and crouched next to kennel, dog leaned forward, ears back, tense, low tail, ate treats gently. Handler sat in front of kennel, speaking softly, continued to hand feed treats, dog was quiet but remained alert and tense, handler stood to go close a neighboring dog to other side, when handler returned to kennel front dog lunged at door, barking, quickly stopped, took more treats, handler sat at kennel again and continued to hand feed, dog eventually sat at front, mildly tense but non reactive. After a few minutes began to sniff at food bowl, handler would toss treats into bowl to encourage eating since food looked untouched, dog would eat a few bites sporadically but was alert to noises of other dogs, constantly scanning around environment, uneasy would stare at handler's hands waiting for further treats. handler fed a few more, dog was quiet and calm, no reaction as handler exited kennel wing. 10/9/2026 Kennel flirting. On approach, dog was sitting quiety at front of kennel, observing handler. Handler squatted down, canine barked several times. Canine's upper lip quivering frequently. Handler sat near dog, speaking sweetly. After some time, canine would sit in corner of kennel nearest to handler, soft eyes, whining with nose against door. If handler would make movement towards dog, upper lip would quiver but settled once handler went back to just sitting near him and talking to him. Loves hot dogs. When tossing hot dogs, canine was non-reactive and very interested in treats. Watched handler's hands as they tossed treats, and eagerly gobbled them up off the floor before returning back to the front of kennel. Very brief tail wags. Dog sat and watched handler leave, making crying/whining sounds. 10/9/2026 Assisting with PM treatments, on approach canine was non-reactive, watching handler. Wagged tail when handler squatted down, eagerly ate meds in meatball. Put nose against kennel and stared at handler, tail still wagging. Did not bare teeth/growl/lunge today. Dog did not react when handler would move hand towards him to toss hot dogs. Eagerly ate treats offered, then returns to front of kennel. Canine whined as handler walked away. 10/8/2026 Handler approached kennel front, dog was laying down in back kennel. Handler lowered guillotine and reapproached, dog began growling as soon as handler was in sight. Handler tried to offer treats, dog got up and began alarm barking, snarling and jumping towards handler but kept distance. Handler presented leash in kennel, dog charged forward grabbed onto leash and began thrashing head with leash in mouth. Handler removed leash and tried to deescalate. Handler began soft speaking and offering treats again. Dog continued to alarm bark and charge gate. Handler attempted a few leash castings, each resulting dog grabbing leash and thrashing head. Handler was able to secure leash with one foot through loop in cross chest manner. When attempting to tighten/secure dog began spinning and vocalizing loudly. Handler decided to end attempt to pull due to unsafe behaviors and high levels of FAS. Handler tried to feed leash through gate, but leash handle did not make it in. Handler used leash removal hook to guide leash in while holding gate slightly open. When doing so dog lunged forward grabbed tool and attempted to thrash tool out of hand. Dog bent tool, handler was able to get leash in kennel and open guillotine. Leash was loose enough that dog was able to maneuver out of loop and handler closed guillotine to retrieve leash. Handler left jackpot of hotdogs and need evaluation. 10/10/26 13:16 Requesting 3rd attempt at evaluation.-EES 10/7/2026 Handler approached kennel front; dog was in back; Handler closes guillotine and re approaches back; Dog was sitting in corner; ears alert; tense; low growling; eyes dilated and wide; tense stare; Handler spoke softly and tossed down treats; Dog wasn't interested; Dog continued to growl; Handler unlocked door; added on clip lead for precaution; Attempted to cast and dog charged forward; grabbing onto leash; biting leash; thrashing then would drop; alarm barking growling; Handler gave dog a few minutes; spoke softly and dog continued to growl and remain tense; fixated stare at handler; Handler would cast leash out again and dog would jump up at leash; Air snap; bite leash; not allowing leash to make contact; Handler attempted a couple more times with same results; the longer handler tried casting air snapping became more direct and forceful; coming closer to handler and handlers hand when attempting to place or cast; dogs right eye would bludge and redness was seen; Handler decided to end leash attempt due to signs of high FAS. closed door and re opened guillotine; 9/29/2026 charging at crate door, alarm barking, showed teeth, air snapping, used control device to impound 9/29/2026 Came in on control device in bucket, growling, lunging, bit control device, piloerection, tail tucked, control device used for entire intake process, taken to kennel in bucket. Name: Poutine Animal ID: A5172395 Breed: TAN/WHITE CHIHUAHUA SH/FRENCH BULLDOG Sex: Male Age: 2Y 1M Weight: 19.6 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing C - 283 Intake Date: 9/29/2026 Deadline Date: 10/18/2026