Nemo

Nemo is an adoptable male Mastiff looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a young adult and medium in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 2 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Nemo, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/16/2026 10/16/26 15:30 Canine has shown concerning behaviors both in and out of the shelter, with potential for recurrence. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 10/21/26 to provide necessary behavioral and post-adoption support. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/22/26 or sooner if warranted. 10/3/2026 10/03/26 09:04 Due to persistent respiratory disease, place on portal urgent medical. If no resolution or outlet by COB on 10/12/26, then dog may be at risk for humane euthanasia on 10/13/26. Dog may be humanely euthanized earlier if QOL declines. 10/13/26 08:41 - Due to dog being adopted and then returned to the shelter last night - deadline removed at this time until further evaluation has been completed. Intake 10/12/2026 What is the reason for surrender? OWNER IS NEEDING TO SURRENDER THIS DOG DUE TO A NEAR ATTACK TO THE SPOUSE IN THE HOME. OWNER HAS GRANDCHILDREN LIVING IN THE HOME AND NO LONGER THINKS THIS IS A GOOD FIT FOR THE FAMILY. How long have you had your pet? 2 DAYS 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? Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? YES, NEAR BITE TO EX SPOUSE Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? NO Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? YES, NEAR BITE TOOK PLACE ON 10/11/26 AT APPROXIMATELY 11PM AT NIGHT. Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? YES, OWNER STATES THAT HE HAS BEEN GROWLING AT FRIENDS THAT COME OVER. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? NO, OWNER KEPT THIS DOG AWAY FROM THE SMALL 4 YR OLD CHILD BASED ON THE GROWLING AND AGGRESSION SEEN WITH THE ADULTS. Please describe behavior around children? Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 4 ADULTS AND 1 CHILD Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? NO Cats? 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? NONE OBSERVED. OWNER ONLY MENTIONS THAT IF YOU HAVE FOOD IN YOUR HAND, HE WILL JUMP UP AND TRY TO TAKE IT FROM YOU. Is the animal house-trained? NO Is your pet potty trained? NO Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? UNKNOWN, OWNER NEVER PLACED HIM INSIDE A CRATE Leash trained? NOT REALLY, OWNER STATES THAT HE WILL TRY TO BITE THE LEASH Knows commands? NO Where was this animal kept? HE WAS INSIDE FOR THE FIRST DAY AND THEN PLACED OUTSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? YES, HE IS A CHEWER. HE HAS CHEWED UP TWO HAIR CLIPS, A SHOE , ELECTRIC CABLES Last vaccinations / last vet visit? NOTHING MORE THAN WHAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY MCACC How would you describe your pet's energy level? VERY HYPER, OWNER STATES THAT HE DOESN'T CHILL OUT Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? NO FEAR OF CAR RIDES What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? OWNER STATES THAT OTHER THAN CHEWING UP THINGS, \"NO\" Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? NOTHING MORE PROVIDED BY OWNER. 8/31/2026 How long have you had the animal? 3 DAYS. SOURCE FOUND THE DOG LYING ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE THEY WERE IN TRAFFIC. SOURCE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT OUT AND GAVE THE DOG WATER. SOURCE THEN PICKED DOG UP AND PLACED IN VEHICLE. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? I-10 AND WILD HORSE PASS BLVD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NONE Is animal spayed/neutered? 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 Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? YES, ALARM BARKING AND GROWLING AT STAFF WHILE IN LOBBY Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NONE Was this animal around any children? YES, 3-6 YEARS OLD. DOG IS FRIENDLY AND ALLOWS PETTING FROM CHILDREN. Did the animal interact with other animals? NO Cats? NO Dogs? NO 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? NONE Can the animal walk on a leash? UNKNOWN Does the animal know any commands? SIT Where was this animal kept? INSIDE If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? CRATED If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? N/A Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? POTTY ACCIDENTS How would you describe the animal’s energy level? HIGH ENERGY Any escapist behavior? NONE Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NONE Any Additional details/notes on behavior? NONE Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/15/2026 Dog was standing against kennel door, wiggly body and wagging tail, panting heavily, took treats. Handler presented leash, dog began jumping and pawing at door, dog would settle briefly when offered treats then continued to jump up, grabbed leash, took several attempts to place leash due to high arousal. Ignored kenneled dogs in passing, alarm barked at nearby staff when exiting building, settled once other staff was out of sight, walked with moderate pull to yard, would turn and jump up on handler, mouthed handler's arm, used light leash pressure to redirect off, settled and continued walking. Once in yard dog continued to jump up on handler, mouthing and nipping at hands. Handler redirected with leash pressure and tossed treats, dog settled and began playing with toys, dog would sit when given verbal cue for toys and treats, brought toys to handler then jumped up again and nipped towards hands, mouthed hands when petting, wouldn't settle, left multiple red marks on hands. Able to pick up leash and walk dog back to kennel, dog pulled and alarm barked towards other staff walking nearby, handler redirected away with verbal coaxing and mild leash pressure, easy return to kennel, removed leash by hand. 10/14/2026 Standing was standing on outer portion; noticed handler; quickly approached; soft wiggly; tail wagging; jumped on kennel door; easy to leash; exited; jumped on handler; continued to walk; moderate pull to yard. In yard, dog jumped on handler; mouthy; grabbed at shoes; able to redirect attention with rope toy; carried toy in mouth; shook toy in mouth; came back to handler; jumpy; mouthy with handler's arms; explored briefly; defecated; handler went to pick waste up; handler carried waste bag; dog followed; tried grabbing waste bag; tossed tennis ball; dog chased ball; came back to handler; played fetch for a few moments; startled by water hose being sprayed nearby; remained near handler; offered treats; took treats gently; jumpy; mouthy; handler would walk away; dog would follow; jumpy; grabbing at handler's arms; would settle briefly then become jumpy again. Picked leash up; walked back with moderate pull; jumped up at handler; continued walking; entered kennel; allowed handler to remove leash. 10/12/2026 Orange due to Hist Review, very jumpy,mouthy, hyper, seeks a lot of attention, allowed handling, walked to kennel strong pull 10/3/2026 Wiggly at front of kennel, soliciting attention. 9/14/2026 Soft, easy leashing, allowed to be picked up, allowed all handling and vaccine booster with light restraint, easy kennel return, easy leash removal. 9/9/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Came forward for leashing, quick, easy walk to yd, completely ignored dogs; playful, friendly, puppyish; jump w/ soft paws, sought attention, allowed all pets; played tag w/ handler; got in pool briefly; happy & active; led w/ minor pull on brief walk around building; easy return 9/6/2026 Wary of handler on approach with head lowered, tense body but quickly softened as handler baby talked, had tucked wagging tail and accepted treats gently, timid but able to coax forward with no issues to place leash, head shy with leash placement but would come to handler as handler knelt down allowing for easy leash placement. Exited with loose tail wag and soft body, sniffed dogs in passing with soft neutral body, no issues guiding to play yard. Once in yard dog would immediately solicit attentions with handler allowing petting all over, soft wiggly body when jumping onto bench next to handler. Explored with loose tail and soft neutral body, would chase after tennis balls but did not retrieve, returns to handler whenever called over with wiggly body. Solicited attentions with volunteer outside of yard, wiggly body and wagging tail throughout. Some jumping up towards handler but was not rough, easy to direct away. Came to handler when called over to exit. Easy return to kennel, walked into kennel on own and allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 9/4/2026 Closed out for AM cleaning. Sitting in back corner; growling on approach; side eyeing; tossed treats; slowly approach halfway for treats; handler tossed more treats; handler stepped away for a moment to help staff nearby; handler approached again; dog was standing in middle of kennel eating treats; noticed handler; cowered into back corner; trying to go into divider pocket; tossed more treats; would not come forward; handler stepped a foot in for better reach; handler attempted lasso leash; cowered; low growling; unable to lasso leash; as handler was pulling leash back; dog started to approach; soft body; tail wagging; handler fully stepped in to avoid dog running past; sought attention; placed front paws on handler; allowed easy leash; exited; walked with light pull. In yard, dog sought attention; placing front paws on handler's lap; leaning into all petting; took treats gently; briefly explored; frequently checked in with handler; attempted to jump up; easy to redirect off; handler tossed ball; dog chased; did not pick up; came back to handler; sought attention. Walked well back to kennel; briefly startled by reactive dog; continued walking; entered kennel; allowed handler to remove leash. 9/3/2026 Dog was hiding under bed, wouldn't approach with verbal coaxing, handler tossed treats nearby, dog air scented but wouldn't fully emerge from bed. Handler stepped in and slowly lifted bed, dog began scurrying around kennel, tail tucked, vocal, eyes wide, attempted to climb up sides of kennel, wouldn't settle, handler opened divider, dog retreated outside, closed divider. Handler approached dog outside, dog was sitting in corner, ignored treats tossed nearby, wouldn't approach with verbal coaxing. Cowered as handler presented leash, bared teeth and pancaked onto side while placing leash, exited kennel with verbal coaxing, tail tucked, low posture, wary of surroundings, stopped to sniff kenneled dogs, easy to redirect, startled at times on the way to yard. Warmed up to handler quickly, lied between handler's feet, softened with wagging tail, front paws on lap soliciting attention, flinched at times when touched but settled and allowed petting all over, sat for treats, took gently. Easy walk back, returned to inside portion of kennel, entered kennel and allowed handler to remove leash by hand, front paws on door with soft body and wagging tail soliciting attention. 8/31/2026 nervous on approach, alarm barking at handler, used hot dogs dog took treats from hand then after a few minutes in lobby allowed some petting. finder walked dog in room, allowed some petting, took treats from handler, was not able to get a restraint on dog, dog would start thrashing on leash, jumping in air. Used squeeze gate for vaccines, walked to kennel zig zag .thrashed once then settled, then walked rest of way to kennel . Name: Nemo Animal ID: A5170841 Breed: BROWN/BLACK MASTIFF/MIX Sex: Neutered Age: 0Y 10M Weight: 46.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 131 Intake Date: 10/12/2026 Deadline Date: 10/21/2026