Zeke

Zeke is an adoptable male Rottweiler looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, 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 Zeke, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/15/2026 10/15/26 12:52 Canine has shown inconsistent responses to handlers, including episodes of behavior escalation. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 10/20/26 to prevent further progression and support ongoing evaluation. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/21/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/5/2026 How long have you had the animal? FOUND LAST NIGHT. SOURCE WAS WALKING AND SAW PET WANDER. PET DID READILY APPROACH SOURCE AND FOLLOWED SOURCE HOME. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 48TH ST AND ELLIOT 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? UK. 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? YES. BARKED AND JUMPED UP AT PEOPLE PASSING BY IN LOBBY. PET BARKED AT AND PULLED TOWARDS OTHER DOGS IN LOBBY. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO. Was this animal around any children? NO. Did the animal interact with other animals? Cats? NO. Dogs? WHEN SOURCE WALKED PET, PET BARKED AT AND PULLED HARD TOWARDS OTHER DOGS. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NO. Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NO. Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO. Can the animal walk on a leash? YES BUT CAN PULL HARD. Does the animal know any commands? UNK. Where was this animal kept? INSIDE. If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM IN ONE ROOM. If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? ONLY OUTSIDE WITH SOURCE ON LEASH. Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? SCRATCHED AT DOOR OF ROOM WHILE CONFINED. How would you describe the animal’s energy level? Any escapist behavior? NO. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SOURCE STATED PET WAS FRIENDLY WITH THEM, JUMPING UP TO SEEK ATTENTION, BUT REPORTED THAT PET BARKED AT AND LUNGED TOWARDS OTHER STRANGERS. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/11/2026 Laying on bed with neutral body, started to have wagging tail and soft body as handler baby talked, gently accepted treats. Easy leash placement at front of kennel, exited with strong pull to play yard, pulls to sniff dogs in passing with loose tail and neutral body, no issues walking to play yard. In yard dog would sit as handler placed leash stopper, accepted pets on head and accepted treats gently, high energy for all of evaluation with soft body and wagging tail, flags tail when near reactive dogs. High interest in tennis ball, would chase after ball and recover ball, runs around yard with ball in mouth, if handler goes to throw ball dog will quickly dash forward to jump towards ball, never directed towards handler. Would lean in for pets as handler sat on bench, accepted pets all over with soft body and loose tail wagging, knows \"SIT\". Ran to fence line to sniff/solicit attentions with volunteer, jumps up onto fence line. Will run quickly towards handler if squeaky toy is used, sits in front of handler allowing pets. Strong pull back to kennel, dog would pull back on leash and pancake when attempting to enter S-WING, would not move for leash pressure, got up quickly with soft neutral body when squeaker was used, repeated this when approaching kennel, began pulling hard away from kennel, used squeaky toy and treats to lure dog into kennel, would come forward and allow handler to remove leash by hand. 10/10/2026 Dog was standing at kennel door, calm, stoic, eagerly took treats. Easy to leash, dog exited kennel, tense, eyes wide, hard pull to yard, able to direct when needed, stopped frequently to sniff, ignored other dogs in passing. Handler attached extended leash, dog explored yard while handler kept hold of leash, nose to ground, neutral, would glance back at handler, approached assistant handler briefly, air scenting, remained calm, continued exploring, handler dropped leash. Dog would perk up and wag tail when handlers used squeaker, dog approached with soft body and wagging tail, sat for treats, eagerly took from hand. Handlers sat on bench, dog approached, leaned into handler and allowed petting all over, remained soft, handler pet around dog's neck, dog sat, open mouth pant, eyes closing, muzzled hand when the petting stopped soliciting more attention. Followed handlers to gate, able to pick up leash and attach clip leash, hard pull back to kennel, easy return, allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 10/8/2026 *Dog had moved kuranda bed inbetween divider, asked to assist with shifting dog over to fix bed* At front of kennel with tense body, wide eyed, settled and softened with baby talk and accepted treats gently. Allowed for easy leash placement at front of kennel, exited with strong pull on leash, erratic until approaching back portion of kennel where dog froze, tensed up, some hard staring, when handler placed hand out dog came forward with wiggly body and accepted quick pets but retreated back quickly when attempting to walk towards back portion of kennel, when opening door to enter back portion of kennel dog threw self onto ground, exposing belly, resisted entering thru doorway. Redirected route and dog would walk with some pulling, some side eye towards handler on walk. Able to get dog to pass thru door way with slight leash pressure, walked up to kennel then proceeded to freeze, pulled back on leash towards wall, threw self on ground once more. Took interest in treats offered, used treat trail to guide dog towards kennel, when dog was at kennel door dog froze, tossed jackpot of treats into kennel and used slight leash pressure to guide dog into kennel with no issues. Used clip leash for leash retrieval. 10/5/2026 walks on c.d., heavy restraint used for vaccines (c.d.), did not attempt any petting, tense stare, ears forward, neutral body color due to behavior during intake in front office Name: Zeke Animal ID: A5172689 Breed: BLACK/BROWN ROTTWEILER Sex: Neutered Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 88.4 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing S - 329 Intake Date: 10/5/2026 Deadline Date: 10/20/2026