Emilio

Emilio is an adoptable male Black Labrador Retriever looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. He is fully grown and large in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Emilio, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/22/2026 10/22/26 12:57 Canine has shown resistance to returning to the kennel and associated concerning behaviors. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/27/26 to prevent further decline and allow for behavior evaluation in a new environment. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/28/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/20/2026 Handler approached kennel back; Dog was outside for AM cleaning; Dog was neutral bodied; wagging tail; moderate panting; Handler unlocked door and held leash in opening; Dog was already trying to nudge through; moderate pushing; Handler cracked door a little more open and handler was able to place leash over head and dog walked to yard; dog had a strong pull; allowed leash adjustment and handler dropped leash; dog walked yard quickly; paced; walked up to catch pen and was pawing at exit; handlers would call over and coax over; dog was grabby with treats; ate treat scattered; walked around urinating and defecating; dog was moderate panting; anxious walking wall line; when time to go handler added clip leash; and walked dog to back of kennel; dog ignored other dogs in passing; handlers tossed treats into kennel; dog was unphased; refused to go back in kennel; pulling away; handler used strong leash pressure into kennel multiple times and dog would bolt out; moderate panting; handler tried to let dog decompress and tried again; tried tossing in treats again; strong pull into kennel; dog forcing back out; handlers tried again and took leash and threaded through kennel back door; used strong leash pressure to pull dog into kennel; was able to close; slowly threaded leash back out; letting up on clip leash to loosen leash; dog was standing looking down at ground; as handler removed leashes with clip lead; pulled leash out of kennel gate; 10/18/2026 Volunteer called for assistance with dogs return. They reported dog pushing through every attempt to return. Volunteers tried several times with clip leash attachment but dog would dart out during removal with clip leash. Handler arrived and attempted return 3 times from back kennel. Dog was highly reluctant to enter kennel. Dog continued to dart out after every attempt. Handler walked dog over to nearby yard and switched out leashes. Volunteers leash had rather large stopper causing handler to open gate further for leash retrieval. Once leash was switched out handler approached from front and held dog back, another staff member then called dog from back kennel. While dog was distracted handler was able to step out and release leash holding onto clip leash. Handler was then able to retrieve both leashes and dog was secured in kennel. 10/13/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Difficult to return to kennel, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm 10/10/2026 , Hoper Whispers 10/6/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Timid at first, social after leaving kennel envrironment. Eiminated during walk, walked slowly and easily. 10/4/2026 Dog was at front of kennel eating, stopped to greet handler, soft body, wagging tail at spine level, took treats gently. Placing \"green\" due to kennel presence and intake notes. 10/2/2026 k9 tail wags upon approach, k9 nervous trembles, k9 allowed to leash, k9 allowed to be lifted into truck no issues 10/2/2026 soft body, allowed all vacs with light restraint, walked to kennel on leash Name: Emilio Animal ID: A5172542 Breed: BLACK/TAN GERM SHEPHERD/LABRADOR RETR Sex: Neutered Age: 7Y 0M Weight: 66.0 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing A - 041 Intake Date: 10/2/2026 Deadline Date: 10/27/2026