Darla

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

Memo 10/21/2026 10/21/26 16:05 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 10/26/26 to support behavior evaluation and mitigation strategies. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/27/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/15/2026 How long have you had the animal? 1 week What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 162nd Ln and Desert Bloom St 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? unknown 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? no Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? no Was this animal around any children? Yes, two under 4 years old Did the animal interact with other animals? Was in the crate due to small dog in home not like K9. K9 did not do anything concerning to another dogs in the home Cats? no Dogs? two 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? no Can the animal walk on a leash? Unknown Does the animal know any commands? Sit Where was this animal kept? Inside and outside If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? crate and free roam If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? brick fencing Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? no How would you describe the animal’s energy level? high Any escapist behavior? no Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Dog flinches when finder pet K9. The two small childern played with the K9 and K9 got along. finder did not see dog nervous around children Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/19/2026 Laying in back of kennel with tense body, some hard staring, starting to come forward with some flagged tail wagging when offered treat and accepted treat gently. Started to become aroused when leash was presented, wide eyed, sudden burst of energy jumping on kennel door, mouthy towards handlers hand/leash when reaching in to place leash, head shy, able to lasso as dog prepared to jump onto door. Exited with strong pull, no interest in dogs in passing, tail flagged, tense bodied, started wagging tail when approaching play yard. In yard dog would head flip when brushing hand on back as dog sniffed, high arousal/energy with stiff tail wagging and wide mouth panting, able to place extended leash before dog had zoomies around yard. Would come to handler as handler sat on bench, knows \"SIT\" and sits in front of handler with wide eyes, fast tail wag, some soft body but remained highly aroused, grabby/mouthy with treats and catches treats if tossed over, did airsnap towards handlers hand in anticipation for treat, wary of handler extending hand out to pet and flinches head away/jolts body back but will come back forward if offered treat. Chased after tennis ball but did not retrieve. Would explore quickly around yard, went potty, returned to handler for treats. Followed handler to exit, when placing leash stopper dog head flipped quickly, able to distract dog and place clip leash. Strong pull back to kennel, hesitant to enter kennel but able to be guided thru, used clip leash for leash retrieval. 10/18/2026 Dog was closed to front half of kennel on approach. Offered treats, dog would quickly retreat to divider wall while pinning ears back, low growling & tucking tail under body. Handler presented leash, dog would retreat to kuranda bed & sit down quietly. Handler removed leash from kennel & attempted to verbally coax forward, would slowly come forward while being whale eyed & allowed petting on head. Presented leash, dog would retreat to kuranda bed again while walking backwards & low growling. Handler attempted to coax dog forward again, would not come forward & would shift head to be lowered while fully dilating pupils. Handler would cast a large loop leash towards dog, dog would shift head side to side while dodging leash placement. Once leash was secured, dog would walk with a strong pull on leash to small PY. Once in small PY, able to adjust leash stopper & drop leash. Dog would explore nose to ground while sniffing with tail & ears relaxed. Handler noticed dogs pupils had returned to normal. Handler would call dog over, dog would approach handler, offered treats & would take treats gently from an opened palmed hand. Handler would pet dog on head without issues as dog would stand next to handler. Dog would return to exploring. Would hear a loud noise coming from nearby kennel building, dog would start to pace along fence line while tucking tail under body & panting heavy. Handler called dog over, dog would approach handler, extended hand to pet, dog would air snap towards hands not making contact. Handler stood up slowly & walked to PY gate, dog would follow. Attempted to pick up leash, dog would air snap towards hands again, not making contact. Handler walked away from dog & scattered treats onto ground. While dog would be eating treats handler was able to pick up leash handle & adjust leash stopper. While attaching clip leash, dog would flip head back making contact with mouth to hand, not applying pressure as handler moved hand away from leash. Walked back to kennel with a strong pull on leash, panting heavy with tail fully tucked under body, ears pinned back & pupils dilating. Entered into kennel & removed leash by use of pre-attached clip leash. 10/17/2026 Requesting full eval based on intake observation. 10/15/2026 Door opened and K9 barked at ACO. Did not allowed ACO to get close. Provided finder with leash and finder place leash. K9 continued barking on the leash. Finder walked to the truck and K9 allowed petting. K9 flinched fast movement. Avoided and thrashed on leash when attempting to scan for a microchip. Allowed petting on head and body. Able to use moderate restrained to place into truck kennel. 10/15/2026 Walked onto ramp on leash, stiff body, side eye, heavy panting. Loosened up and knew how to sit, shake, and roll over. Slipped out of muzzle wrap restraint and started showing anxious behavior, heavy panting and whale eyed. Tolerated muzzle wrapping a second time and tolerated vaccines, walked to kennel on leash Name: Darla Animal ID: A5173185 Breed: WHITE/GRAY AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Female Age: 2Y 0M Weight: 55.4 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing F - 187 Intake Date: 10/15/2026 Deadline Date: 10/26/2026