Apple

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

Memo 10/16/2026 10/16/26 14:35 Canine has demonstrated low tolerance for handling and other concerning behaviors during their time in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 10/21/26 to facilitate further behavioral evaluation and support. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/22/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/12/2026 Dog was closed to front half of kennel during AM cleaning. Would stand up, flatten ears, lick lips & low growl while handler would unlock kennel gate. Offered treats, would not be interested in treats, started to curl lips while being whale eyed. Able to cast a large loop leash onto dog. Walked slowly to small PY while walking diagonally with tail tucked under body, ears pinned back & licking lips. Would keep looking back towards handler while making crying sounds. Once in PY, able to adjust leash stopper. Would explore PY while keeping distant from handler. Dog would start to relax ears & tail while exploring with nose to ground. Was not interested in treats. Each time handler would approach dog, dog would sit down while flattening ears, lowering head, licking lips & avoiding eye contact. Tolerated petting on side of body without issues. Picked up leash & walked back to kennel while having no pull on leash, keeping tail slightly tucked under body. Once kennel gate was opened, dog would retreat quickly inside kennel, sat down in corner near divider wall while trembling body with whale eyes, ears flattened & licking lips. Removed leash with use of pre-attached clip leash due to dog not coming back forward with verbal coaxing. 10/12/2026 Dog did not eat previous day of dry kibble mixed with treats. Due to dog not eating for 3 consecutive days of dry, canned, or treats added, will be placing vet check. No behavior notes included. 10/11/2026 During AM cleaning I had to move dog as wouldn't move from their bed when called. Had stiff body language and lick lipping when approaching with leash, refused offered/tossed hotdogs, had quiet low grumbles when lassoing leash, once leash was on got up and walked out of kennel with handler, once outside body language softened (tail untucked and started slow wagging) and would sniff handlers legs and follow along, walked to outside portion of kennels with no issues and ignored other dogs, used clip leash on return for easy leash removal, dog walk into kennel and I removed leash with no issues. 10/11/2026 Laying on bed with stiff body, hard staring handler, low growling. No interest in coaxing or treats, when presenting leash dog quickly retreated outside, would not come forward or approach handler for treats or coaxing. Closed divider and met dog outside where dog was standing in middle of kennel with hunched over body, tail tucked, low growling with head lowered, hard staring handler. Did settle briefly for treats offered, accepted treats but spit treats out. Froze in place as kennel door was opened, wide eyed, tense bodied, able to place large loop over dog with no issues. Walked with some strong pulls but does settle to easy leash pull, startled by reactive dogs/staff in passing, tail tucked and tense bodied to small play yard. Once in yard dog skin crawled when brushing leash on back, followed handler to bench and sat next to handler, little eye contact with handler, tense bodied, tolerated pets but did not seek attentions, no interest in treats offered. Would begin to pace around yard for majority of evaluation, distant from handler, tail tucked, tense bodied, wary of surroundings, flinches heavily when startled. Had a moment of laying next to handlers feet but did not seek attentions, little eye contact towards handler. Came to handler when called over to exit, no reaction towards clip leash being placed. Flinches heavily on walk back to kennel otherwise easy return, used clip leash for leash retrieval. 10/11/2026 Dog has only eaten treats in 72 hours after dry kibble, and canned food offered. Will be mixing treats in with dry kibble during PM feeding to entice dry kibble feeding and will place vet check tomorrow if dog does not eat dry with treat. 10/10/2026 Dog did not eat kibble, canned food offered previous day will add in treats to second feed to entyce eating. 10/9/2026 Dog did not eat previous days kibble offered, will add in 2 tbs canned food at 2nd feed tody to entyce eating. 10/8/2026 Stiff body, tail tucked, low growl, bared teeth, controlled restraint to load onto truck. 10/8/2026 Walked onto ramp on leash, stiff body, whale eyed, skin crawling. Growling during vaccines, tolerated with muzzle wrap restraint, head snapping, walked to kennel on leash Name: Apple Animal ID: A5172835 Breed: BLACK/TAN SIBERIAN HUSKY/GERM SHEPHERD Sex: Male Age: 3Y 0M Weight: 39.8 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing G - 222 Intake Date: 10/8/2026 Deadline Date: 10/21/2026