Bear

Bear is an adoptable male Black Labrador Retriever looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. He is senior and x-large in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Bear, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/14/2026 10/14/26 13:01 Canine has displayed escape-seeking behaviors and resistance to returning to kennel. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/19/26 to ensure safety and provide an opportunity for behavioral support. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/20/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/6/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE STATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY PET SITTING WITH AN UNDERSTANDING IT WOULD BE FOR 2 WEEKS. THE PET WAS NEVER REDEEMED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER. SOURCE HAS ALLERGIES TO THIS PET AND HAS HAD TO HAVE MEDICAL TREATMENTS AND CAN NO LONGER MANAGE THE ALLERGIES. How long have you had your pet? 7 MONTHS, PRIOR OWNER HAD A5172734 FOR 8 YEARS. Where did you get this animal from? FRIEND Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES, 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? 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? Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? 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? YES Please describe behavior around children? SOURCE STATED THAT A5172734 HAS BEEN SOCIALIZED WITH NEWBORNS TO TEENAGERS. THE DOG IS FRIENDLYAND HAPPY TO BE WITH KIDS. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? SAME AS WITH CHILDREN PER SOURCE. SOURCE ADDED THAT SOMETIMES IN PUBLIC SPACES THIS PET CAN BE UNSURE AND WITHDRAWN. THE DOG BARKS, BUT ID MORE FRIGHTENED OF OTHER PEOPLE. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? SOURCE STATED FRIENDLY AND PLAYFUL. NOT AS ACCUSTOMED TO BEING WITH OTHER PETS DUE TO LACK OF EXPOSURE TO OUTSIDE THE HOME. Cats? YES, FRIENDLY Dogs? LOVES THE OTHER DOGS WHEN AT FAMILY MEMBER'S HOMES. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? 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? YES Leash trained? YES Knows commands? SIT, COME, SHAKE, AND STAY. Where was this animal kept? INSIDE AND OUTSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO Last vaccinations / last vet visit? UTD SINCE 3/13/26 How would you describe your pet's energy level? Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? FIREWORKS AND THUNDER What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? KIDS AND 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) 10/10/2026 Dog was closed outside for AM cleaning; dilated pupils, focused stare; closed mouth; tail slightly lowered with rounded rear. Handler spoke softly and offered treats; uninterested in treats; briefly sniffed hand but remained stoic. Handler opened door and dog firmly pushed muzzle at door; able to brace door and feed leash through. Dog had no reaction to leash; took a handful of attempts to place leash over without dog pushing out; very strong pull out of kennel; no reaction to barking dogs. Once in yard dog would immediately urinate for extended time; afterwards would be panting heavily; dilated pupils; ears up; tail wagging; approached handler with soft body but did not solicit attention; facial tension; panting. Dog would pace and whine; climbed up on bench and looked through window; allowed petting. Dog chased after ball excitedly when thrown and briefly picked up but then dropped. Dog would have a large amount of loose stool near exit gate; dog remained standing at exit gate hyper focused on outside of yard while handler spent time picking up stool; heavy panting with drool; rear end leaning against handler. Able to coax dog away from gate and dog would approach with wagging tail; allowed petting; pressed body against handler; attempted to comfort with soft voice and petting; returned to pacing back and forth; whining. FAS level was increasing quickly; handler retrieved leash and walked dog out of yard; strong pull; dog would walk stop and go past barking dogs; dilated pupils and furrowed brow; stopped when reaching kennel and pulled frantically away from kennel; very strong; curling nails into ground and pulling hard at end of leash until wheezing; handler followed dog and guided dog inside to kennel building to return dog inside instead. Nearby staff helped set up kennel and handler waited with dog; dog would briefly settle but pulled with tension at end of leash entire time; allowed petting on rear; entered into kennel willingly with brief coaxing and allowed leash removal with clip leash; heavy panting and drooling; did not take treats. 10/9/2026 Handler approached kennel back; Dog was outside for AM cleaning; Dog was laying down calm; neutral bodied; Handler unlocked door and cracked door; Held leash in opening and dog came forward with ease; Dog walked with moderate pull to yard; ignored dogs in passing; walked into yard and allowed leash securing and petting; Immediately later was urinating; Dog may have been previously potty trained; Calm demeanor, low energy in yard; didn't jump on handler at all; would walk yard and stand near handler and exit; moderate panting; shaking as he peered around yard; ears semi alert; tail wagging; handler would walk yard and dog would follow; leaned and solicited petting and attention; sat for treats but wouldn't eat treats scattered; walked yard and whined; moderate panting; paced slightly as fence line; greets another handler at passing at fence line with no issues; if called by name dog would approach everytime; dog remained neutral bodied; slightly hesitant; tail wagging; moderate panting entire evaluation; dog seemed wary and unsure of environment; engaged in play with handler; allowed petting and handling all over; When time to go handler walked to back of kennel again; dogs ignored dogs in passing; once reaching kennel front handler opened door; dog started to pull away; moderate pull; not wanting to go back in kennel; handler allowed dog to pull in opposite direction; allowed dog to decompress and re circled back to kennel; handler kept leash guidance pressure; vocalizing saying \"come Bear\" dog listened and followed handler; handler stepped into kennel and dog followed; allowed handler to close door and remove leash by hand with no further issues; 10/8/2026 Dog was standing at front of kennel, slowly sitting down with lifted front paw, furrowed brow, lowering into laying position, handler tossed treats, dog leaned forward to eat, stood at front of kennel as handler opened door, easily allowed leash placement, strong pull out of kennel. Once in yard, dog stopped to urinate and defecate, began pacing along fence, neutral body, low tail, panting, would not approach handler, watching people passing by yard, back legs shaking consistently throughout evaluation, dog stood at corner of yard peering around corner toward sounds of people and dogs passing, low growled once, resumed pacing along fence and around catch pen, would allow handler to come up to dog and pet, did not solicit attention, furrowed brow, panting, v shape lip. Staff passing by stopped to greet dog at fence, knelt down and offered hand, dog sniffed, walked away, hyper vigilant in yard and alert to every sound nearby. Dog would not settle at all, no interest in toys, would not come to handler for treats. Staff walked a dog past yard on opposite side, dog ran over to fence, watching them, ran back to fence by handler. Handler picked up leash, walked dog out of yard, very strong pull, returned dog to back of kennel for cleaning, dog was pulling away from kennel intensely as handler tried to open lock, once door opened handler had to walk in first and dog followed, stood in place as handler exited and removed leash by hand. 10/7/2026 Laying at front, rose head, looked at handler, would not approach, stoic. Requesting full eval based on kennel presence. 10/6/2026 Nervous and avoidant of handler. Accepted hot dogs and warmed up a bit so that handler could pet him. Previously vaccinated, so did not use restraint in triage. Allowed placement of mylar. Knows \"sit\". Likes hot dogs. Walked to kennel. Name: Bear Animal ID: A5172734 Breed: BLACK/WHITE LABRADOR RETR/ROTTWEILER Sex: Neutered Age: 8Y 0M Weight: 93.0 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing B - 165 Intake Date: 10/6/2026 Deadline Date: 10/19/2026BEAR