Plankton

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

Memo 10/15/2026 10/15/26 11:00 Canine has shown increasing over-arousal and is becoming difficult to manage safely while in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/20/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/21/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/5/2026 How long have you had the animal? SOURCE STATED THEY FOUND DOG AROUND 7:30 AM THIS MORNING, 5 HOURS. SOURCE STATED THEY WERE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND SAW A5172694 WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND THEY WERE ABLE TO LURE THE DOG WITH TREATS. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? Broadway Road and Higley Road 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 Is animal spayed/neutered? UNK Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? 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 Was this animal around any children? SOURCE STATED A5172694 WAS ONLY AROUND ADULTS Did the animal interact with other animals? SOURCE STATED A5172694 WAS AROUND 1 FEMALE DOBERMAN THAT SOURCE OWNS. SOURCE STATED A5172694 WAS SUPER PLAYFUL WITH THEIR DOG AND VERY FRIENDLY WITH THEIR DOG Cats? N/A Dogs? 1 DOG 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? NO Can the animal walk on a leash? SOURCE STATED DOG TENDS TO PULL ON LEASH AND NEEDS LEASH TRAINING Does the animal know any commands? UNK Where was this animal kept? BOTH If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? 5 FT CHAIN LINK FENCE, CONTAINED DOG Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NO How would you describe the animal’s energy level? VERY HIGH ENERGY Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? NO Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/11/2026 Dog was alarm barking once handler approached kennel front, dilated pupils, tense bodied, handler tossed in hot dogs and dog ate, came forward again with wagging tail, stopped barking, handler prepped leash and tossed more hot dogs, while dog ate, handler slip leash loop through opening, able to leash dog at front and secure, once door fully opened dog walked out and pulled hard towards neighboring dog, sniffed then continued forward, jumping at doors and strong pull once through doorway, stopped to urinate once outside, would try to pull opposite directions, having to call dog towards yard entrance, dog immediately began urinating multiple times, defecated multiple times, would stare at handler while doing so, began pacing fenceline, panting, would run towards handler then run towards fence, alarm barked briefly a couple times at barking dogs in nearby kennels, would toss treats in front of dog and dog would sniff but didn't eat, handler would call to dog and dog would come, allowed handler to pet but wouldn't solicit, handler sat down on bench and dog came over, began soliciting attention and pets, leaning in for pets, stayed by handler, wiggly body wagging tail, became focused on barking dog in distance and tensed, started running and alarm barking towards fence, handler called to dog and dog turned around and began running towards handler, leaned body against handler while being pet, turned to handler and began jumping up at handler face with open mouth, handler guided dog off with hands and tried using hot dogs to distract, dog ate, handler stood up and dog began to jump at handler face again, attempting to mouth handlers arms, handler said \"ah ah\" in a louder voice and dog stopped, handler began walking towards gate and dog followed, picked up leash and attached clip leash, strong pull to kennel, ignored dogs in passing, walked into kennel with no issue, removed leash using clip leash. 10/10/2026 Dog alarm barked once as handler approached, standing at front of kennel with wide eyes, v shaped commissure, low slightly wagging tail. Handler tossed treats, dog retrieved them then stood with neutral body, began to jump up at door, barking, handler kept tossing treats and dog stopped, handler reached in leash and lured dog through loop while holding treats through door, placed leash, dog exited kennel quickly, would stop and align toward dogs in neighboring kennels, body tensing up, handler kept dog moving forward with slight leash pressure, dog would pace and jump at exit door, whining, once outside dog stopped to urinate, then started to pull toward kennels. Handler lead dog into yard and dog began to explore, moving quickly, lightly panting, would come up and briefly sniff handler then resume sniffing, pacing. Dog would frequently stop and urine mark, came back up to handler to sniff them, took a treat, walked away. Dog approached again and handler pet along their back as they passed by, dog stopped and allowed further petting near rear legs, when handler stopped dog resumed exploring yard, neutral, still tail near spine level. Dog would approach handler for treats, grabby, demonstrated \"sit\" once but would otherwise walk away when asked to perform command. Dog continued to tolerate petting along sides and back, did not solicit attention and did not settle or stay near handler for extend periods of time. Dog caught sight of nearby dogs in kennels, began alarm barking at gate, continued alarm barking as he paced back toward handler, barking at window into kennel building as well. Dog would start to pace in a circle, continued to check corner of yard where kennels were visible, kept alarm barking at corner, handler could call dog to briefly disengaged but dog remained alert and would pace back to same spot. Handler tossed a soft toy, dog chased after it and picked up briefly then came back to corner of yard, showed no further interest in toys. Dog would come back to handler, allowed brief petting and took more treats. Handler walked into catch pen and dog followed, circling around, began jumping up, whining, frantic, handler tossed treats, added clip leash, dog exited with very strong pull, sniffed dogs in passing, barked once, hesitant to enter kennel, handler led in with leash pressure, clip leash had gotten tangled and dog began jumping up at door, whining, barking, got leash stuck under leg, handler dropped leash, gave treats, removed by hand 10/5/2026 Handler was in lobby and watched K9 walk in. K9 was jumping up and down toward finder, pulling on leash, whinning, alram barking, and heavy panting. As finder was filling out the paper work, K9 did not settle. Continously jumping up, grabbing and bitting the leash. Handler was able to leash K9 and K9 sat down and handler began to pet along back of head. Handler took K9 into intake room and was able to weigh, microchip scan, place flea/tick medicine, and give bordatella. Handler called vettech to adminster rabies and when vettech entered the room K9 began to alarm bark and back self into handler. K9 attempted to lunge at vettech. Handler strong armed K9 back. K9 was walked back to ramp. During walk K9 alarm bark, pull toward peopel and other dogs. Once on ramp K9 began to alarm bark at ACO and again push self into handler's legs. Squeezegate was used to administer the last two vaccines. K9 was walked to kennel, went into kennel then pushed out. Handler had to use heavy leash pressure to guide into kennel. Clip leash was used to remove leash. Name: Plankton Animal ID: A5172694 Breed: BLACK GERM SHEPHERD Sex: Male Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 64.5 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing S - 193 Intake Date: 10/5/2026 Deadline Date: 10/20/2026