Mortar

Mortar is an adoptable male Pit Bull Terrier 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 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Mortar, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/20/2026 10/20/26 17:23 Canine has displayed concerning behaviors in this enviroment, resulting in a near bite to staff. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/25/26 to support behavior evaluation and mitigation strategies. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/26/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/20/2026 Updating color due to NHO status. 10/16/2026 Dog was at front of kennel, neutral body, slightly wagging tail at spine level, as handler prepared leash dog began jumping up at kennel door repeatedly. Handler reached in loop and placed over head as dog jumped, dog exited kennel quickly with strong pull. Dog entered yard and began running around, remained neutral, stopped to defecate, continued to explore independently, did not come up to handler when called. Dog chased after a tennis ball briefly but showed no further interest, sniffing yard, would run up to fence for noises or people passing. Dog began jumping up on fence toward toy buckets, handler grabbed a rope toy and offered it to dog, briefly played tug, handler dropped toy and dog chewed at it for a moment, handler tossed treats and dog ate those as handler picked up rope. Dog walked away, sniffing at fence, returned to handler and played tug again for a minute, then dropped it and lost interest. Handler sat on bench, dog came up with loose body, wagging tail at spine level, allowed some petting and was grabby with treats. Volunteer passing by outside yard, dog ran up to fence, jumping up, remained loose, volunteer fed dog a treat then continued to walk, dog would follow them along fence line, briefly pacing once they were out of sight, then went to catch pen and began pawing at it, digging, handler clapped and walked other way and dog followed, demonstrated \"Sit,\" allowed further petting, curved body, soft wag, would continue to run around yard along fences, easily distracted by sounds around yard, greeted a familiar handler at fence, loose and wiggly, followed them along fence then continued to paw at catch pen and try to push muzzle through. Handler once again clapped and got dogs attention, dog followed them to opposite side of yard, handler opened catch pen on far side of yard and picked up leash, dog had strong pull back to kennel, pulled toward neighboring reactive dog, brief hesitation to enter but then easily walked in for treats, allowed leash removal by hand. 10/15/2026 Staff noticed a peice of food in K9's water bowl. K9 went to the outside portion of kennel. While K9 was outside, staff opened the kennel and fished out the piece of food manually with right hand. K9 noticed staff member and hurried inside. K9 made quick closed mouth contact with staff's left arm before grabbing arm with teeth. Contact was made. Skin was not broken but there is minor bruising. Staff retreated from kennel. K9 barked at staff from inside of kennel. 10/14/2026 High arousal, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Strong Pull on Leash, High Energy, Appeared interested when walking past kennels, Dog is very strong and comes out of the kennel pushing and pulling, best go directly to the yard to let him run a few laps. Interested when other dogs nearby, barking through the fence. Very strong pull on leash, even with the harness lead. 10/9/2026 Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Not interested in treats, Strong Pull on Leash, Quick leash, strong pull to yd; active, energetic, sniffed & explored independently; allowed pets but did not solicit them; chased after tennis balls but lost interest after a few; drank from hose, no play in pool; strong pull even w/ harness leash; no issues on return 10/3/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Strong Pull on Leash, MORTAR: Easy to pull, strong pull out. Ran around in the yard and enjoyed playing chase in the yard. Played tug, was easy to return, went right into kennel. 9/28/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Strong Pull on Leash, High Energy, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, pulls very hard to get out, does better with harness leash, likes to sniff and explore, accepted pets from everyone, leaned in once he felt comfortable, listens to commands 9/23/2026 Handler approached kennel back; Dog was laying down came forward; handler used key words like potty and outside; dog seemed to perk up; alert; tail wagging; handler cracked door and dog came forward with ease; strong pull to yard; tried to pull towards dogs in passing; easily disengaged with leash pressure guidance forward; handler spoke softly and pet dog in catch pen; dog was unphased; Handler opened catch pen and release leash; dog was immediately exploring and tail wagging; shortly later urinated and defecated; dog may have been previously potty trained; dog had high energy; tail wagging; solicited pets and attention to handler; zoomied around yard; engaged in play with handler; fetched ball around yard; very treat and toy motivated; started tearing apart toy; handler took away; dog jumped high and flopped on back; high energy entire time; engaged in play with handler; zoomied around yard, butt scooting past handler tail wagging; mild panting; Handler alternated between two balls when playing fetch; Handler would sit on chair; Dog would approach and solicit pets and attention;attempt to be in handlers lap; loose wiggly bodied; leaned into petting; allowed petting and handling all over; When time to go handler walked to catch pen; dog allowed leash grab and adjusting; strong pull to kennel; Attempted to pull towards neighboring dogs again; handler kept short leash and dog followed; Entered back of kennel with ease; handler dropped jackpot of treats to end on positve interaction; 9/21/2026 Dog was at front of kennel, alarm barked on approach, handler spoke softly and held hand up to kennel, dog sniffed at it, wide eyes, low tail with slight wag, staring at handler, handler began to feed treats through door, dog ate from handlers hand, continued low soft wag, stayed at front of kennel, pushing muzzle through opened door, backed away when handler attempted to leash but then returned to the front of kennel and allowed leash placement, exited kennel with strong pull all the way to yard, once in yard dog would continue to pull hard, sniffing the ground and repeatedly stopping to urinate and/or defecate. Handler held leash as precaution, dog moved quickly around the yard, kept head low and sniffing ground, neutral body with still tail at or above spine level, would not look up at handlers, handler tossed treats in front of dog and he showed no interest, spent a few minutes just sniffing around yard, paused and stared forward when hearing a nearby dog barking, stared for a few seconds, handler spoke softly, dog did not look toward handler but lowered head and resumed sniffing, darting quickly around yard. Assistant called to dog, offered treats, dog came forward and ate treats tossed on ground, slight tail wag, ears forward, softly panting, ate treats from assistants hand, attempted to jump up on assistant but handler held leash back and walked dog away, dog resumed sniffing ground, sniffed handlers shoes and leg, body was neutral,, assistant would call dog again and dog would jump towards them, assistant lured dog up onto agility platform, dog took treats from assistant, softly wagging tail at spine level, continued panting with lightly furrowed brow but overall softer posture, after a moment handler walked him back to catch pen, dog allowed petting from handler, softly curved spine and wagging tail, handler would attempt to remove chain collar but it was on too tightly, assistant hand fed dog and attempted to remove it as well with no success. Handler added clip leash as precaution, dog pulled hard back to kennel, slightly choking/wheezing at end of leash, walked right into kennel and allowed leash removal with clip leash. 9/20/2026 **Dog was moved to new kennel after evaluation** Handler approached kennel front, dog was tense in posture, forward leaning with dilated pupils and eats pinned back alarm barking. Handler offered treats and tried to leash but dog retreated to back. Handler tried a few more times to leash dog would charge forward and alarm bark. Dog watched handlers hand as handler tried to drape/cast leash over head. Dog was able to maneuver leash off several times. Dog continued to charge and bark at handler after failed attempts. Handler asked for assistant handler to join due to behavior. Handler was able to secure leash after several attempts, handler then opened gate and dog pulled very strongly out of ward. Handler had to guide dog to PY dog was tense in posture frantically pulling with pilo between shoulder blades and near rear end. Once in PY dog immediately urinated and defecated. Handler did not feel comfortable releasing dog but was able to move stopper closer. Handler followed dog around PY, dog darted around yard frantically strongly pulling handler all over PY. A volunteer with a dog walked pass yard, handler kept dog away from fence line dog stared at other dog with flagged tail and forward leaning tense posture. Assistant handler tried to call over and offer pets. Dog attempted to charge at handler with dilated pupils, direct eye contact, tense posture and flagged tail. Handlers decided to end evaluation after that. Assistant handler lead the way to new kennel opening doors as leas handler walked dog back to kennel. Dog again pulled very strongly, handler was able to lure dog into new kennel with hotdogs. Dog darted into kennel and handler maneuvered leash and was able to release stopper and left leash on dog. Handler left behind mall jackpot and left. Handler returned a few minutes later to put up kennel card and leash had fallen off dog, leash was retrieved. 9/18/2026 Dog was facing back of kennel, alarm barking at other staff, turned to the front as handler approached, mildly tense, alarm barked, came forward to sniff, low tail, whale eye with dilated pupils at handler, then alarm barked again ,took treats gently, continued barking. A few hours later handler walked by and dog approached kennel front, freezing with lifted front paw and dilated eyes, then alarm barked again. Requesting full evaluation. 9/16/2026 K9 pulls on leash, k9 allowed all handling, k9 high energy, k9 allowed vaccines with muzzel wrap Name: Mortar Animal ID: A5171736 Breed: BRINDLE/BLACK AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Neutered Age: 2Y 1M Weight: 67.2 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing A - 035 Intake Date: 9/16/2026 Deadline Date: 10/25/2026