Strawberry

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

Memo 10/16/2026 10/16/26 14:37 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 10/21/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/22/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/10/2026 What is the reason for surrender? DUE TO LOSS OF HOUSING, P3045926 IS STAYING WITH FRIENDS WHO HAVE A CHILD ALLERGIC TO DOGS. How long have you had your pet? 5 MONTHS Where did you get this animal from? MCACC Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES 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? SOURCE HAS TRIED FAMILY, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS, NEIGHBORS, FB, AHS, AND VARIOUS RESCUE ORGS AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. 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 HAS TWO KIDS AGES 9 MOS, 3, AND 12 YEARS OLD. SOURCE SAID THIS DOG IS EXCELLENT WITH KIDS AND EVEN ADJUSTS ITS LEVEL OF PLAY TO BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE AGE OF THE CHILD. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? SOURCE AND KIDS. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? SOURCE SAID THIS PET DOES GREAT. THE DOG KNOWS TO BE SOFT WITH SMALL PETS AND ENERGETICLY PLAY WITH THE LARGER PETS. Cats? NO Dogs? JUST IN PASSING 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? SOURCE STATES THAT THIS PET SHOWS NO AGGRESSION, BUT DOES GUARD ITS FOOD. 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, LAY DOWN, WAIT, STAY, SNAP FINGERS AND SHE GOES BETWEEN YOUR LEGS. HOWLS FOR ATTENTION. Where was this animal kept? INSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO Last vaccinations / last vet visit? PROVIDED AND ON FILE. 6/26/26, 5/28/26, 5/5/26, AND 4/29/26 How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? NO What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? STICKS, WOOD TOYS, LONG LASTING CHEW TOYS, RUNNING WITH SOURCE. LOVES EXCERCISE AND PLAYING. Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? 4/29/2026 How long have you had the animal? 3 DAYS, CAME RIGHT UP TO SOURCE Has the animal been around other animals? What kind of animals? How would you describe the interaction with other animals? MET WITH SMALL DOGS, VERY PLAYFUL WITH THEM. HIGH ENGERY Was the animal around any other people or children? If yes, how would you describe the animals behavior towards other people/children? FRIENDLY WITH CHILDREN. HIGH PUPPY ENERGY. LOVES ATTENTION. MOUTHY Has the animal shown any aggression around other people? Might want to include a few examples of what aggression looks like. Barking, growling, lunging, etc.? If yes, what were the circumstances? NONE Did you keep the animal inside or outside? INSIDE If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam? Was the animal destructive in any way? CRATED, HAD A FEW ACCIDENTS. PUPPY CHEWED ON BASEBOARDS AND BLINDS WHEN LEFT ALONE. If outside, what kind of fencing do you have and did it contain the animal? UNK Did the animal show any aggression, like **growling, curling their lips, lunging** around food, toys, or bones? NONE Has the animal shown any signs of illness? NONE Does the animal walk on a leash? YES Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/13/2026 Placing orange card based on last m&g note- high arousal 10/13/2026 *Mock M&G evaluation structure* Handler approached kennel front, dog was jumping up at glass demand barking. Handler was able to leash dog without issue, dog settled and allowed leashing. Once dog exited kennel dog began pulling towards occupied kennels, had pilo on base of tail and between shoulder blades and began high pitched vocalizations. Dog briefly began to spin around but handler was able to guide dog through ward with leash pressure. Handler met assistant handler in PY and adjusted leash stopper before releasing dog. Dog was jumping up on handler before release handler just walked in other direction and dog began sniffing around. Handler sat on bench with assistant handler. Dog ran up to handlers and began jumping up towards handlers' faces, handler was able to treat scatter high value treats and distract dog. Dog sniffed out treats and repeated the same process. Handler stood up and walked over to nearby toy bin and tossed a few toys out. Dog was highly engaged in self-play. Dog did not appear to want handler engagement when interacting with toy, handler was able to get dog to chase after treat and then throw ball. Dog chased after toy but did not pick up. Dog returned to handlers and again began jumping up on laps and jumping towards faces. Handlers were able to guide off but after a few attempts handler decided to end evaluation. Dog had mouthed at handlers' hands when attempting to guide down. Handler retrieved leash and placed clip leash. Handler had to wait while members of the public passed by PY, dog alarm barked with tense posture and pulled towards them after a brief moment of stillness. Once members of the public were gone handler walked dog back to kennel. Dog again pulled towards occupied kennels, loudly vocalizing and spinning. Handler held leash taut with arm extended as a precaution for possible redirection and guided dog into kennel. Dog entered kennel and allowed leash removal using clip leash. 10/12/2026 moderate to leash due to excitement, pulled coming out of the kennel, vocalizing and pulling towards kenneled dogs on walk out to the yard with piloerection at base of tail, in yard, pet was high energy, jumping up regularly on handlers and potential adopters, difficult to redirect from jumpy behavior, also mouthy with hands/arms, solicited attention and sat for treats, took treats gently, once time to go back inside, pet attempted to play tug of war with the leash, able to redirect and walk pet back to kennel, vocalized and pulled towards dogs in kennels on walk back to kennel, easy return 10/11/2026 Dog was standing at front of kennel holding enrichment chew, loose wiggly body and broadly wagging tail. Stayed at front holding chew while sniffing handler. Placing \"green\" due to kennel presence and intake notes. \"Older Children 5+\" due to history of guarding food. 10/11/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, High Energy 10/10/2026 High energy, playful, seeking attention, will \"sit\" for treats. Vaccinated with distraction with a hot dog. Walked to kennel. 5/1/2026 Wiggly body and wagging tail, front paws on door soliciting attention, demand barking, took treats. Placing up for adoption as intake color \"purple\" based on notes and kennel presence. *Due to notes of being high energy and mouthy, adding Older Children and In Home Training recommendations. Dog would benefit from a structured environment with proper training and enrichment to set dog up for success and reduce destructive behaviors. Recommend crate training. 4/29/2026 High energy, mouthy, playful, thrashed slightly during restraint, allowed all handling and vaccines with restraint, carried to kennel. Name: Strawberry Animal ID: A5163901 Breed: BRINDLE/WHITE DUTCH SHEPHERD/AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Spayed Age: 0Y 10M Weight: 52.5 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing B - 167 Intake Date: 10/10/2026 Deadline Date: 10/21/2026