Jackson

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

Memo 10/22/2026 10/22/26 13:35 Canine is exhibiting consistent concerning behaviors both in and out of the kennel. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 10/27/26 to prevent behavioral decline and provide support in a more appropriate setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/28/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/13/2026 How long have you had the animal? 16 HOURS What are the cross streets where you found the animal? SOUTHERN AVE AND S KRYNE RD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? SOURCE STATED THAT K9 APPEARS THIN Is animal spayed/neutered? SOURCE STATED TESTICLES ARE NOT VISIBLE 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? NOT OBSERVED BY SOURCE Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NOT OBSERVED BY SOUCRE Was this animal around any children? NO Did the animal interact with other animals? NO Cats? N/A Dogs? N/A Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? N/A Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? N/A Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? N/A Can the animal walk on a leash? SOUCRE STATED K9 WALKS WELL ON LEASH Does the animal know any commands? SOURCE STATED THEY ATTEMPTED \"SIT\" COMMAND AND K9 DID NOT KNOW COMMAND Where was this animal kept? KEPT IN DORM ROOM, SPLET UNDER BED If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? N/A Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NOT OBSERVED BY SOUCRE How would you describe the animal’s energy level? LOW Any escapist behavior? NOT OBSERVED AT THIS TIME Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NOT OBSERVED AT THIS TIME Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SOURCE STATED THAT K9 IS CHILL AND COULD BE PLAYFUL, K9 ONLY BARKED ONCE FOR THE TIME SOURCE HAD HIM Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/20/2026 Handler approached front kennel. dog retreated to back. Handler lowered guillotine and reappraoched back. Dog was pacing back wall of kennel near guillotine. Handler offered a few treats and dog took them. When introducing the leash dog, dog began attempts to climb up kennel walls. Neighboring dogs had grown in intensity with reactivity and barking. Handler locked neighboring dogs on opposite side while attempting to leash. Handler continued to offer treats, dog would take some but not others. Handler was able to cast leash over head and secure on first attempt. Handler then opened gate wide and allowed dog to exit, dog stepped front 2 feet outside and then retreated back to kennel. Handler tried to treat lure and verbally coax dog would not exit. Handler spent about 10 minutes attempting to get dog to exit kennel. If dog pulled back and tension was created on leash (just a taut leash) dog would begin chewing on leash. Handler was able to get dog to eat treats from hand. Handler attempted several times to coax dog out of kennel but dog continued to chew on leash or attempt to scale wall (Unsuccessful). Dog had chewed half way through leash when handler ended evaluation. Handler was able to introduce leash removal tool and use tool to remove leash. When handler lifted guillotine dog began pacing between kennels with rounded posture and ears pinned back. 10/19/2026 Dog was at back of kennel, low growl, wide eyes, pacing in place, would not come forward, handler closed divider and dog startled. Handler approached back dog sniffed them through door, wide eyes, alert, low tail, weight shifted back. Handler tossed treats and dog ate them readily, handler held out leash, dog sniffed it, backing away, avoidant and lowering head away from it, handler would toss treats and attempt to place leash as dog ate, dog would flinch and back away, would come forward to stick nose out of kennel when leash was removed, but dart away when handler reached in. Eventually handler was able to drape leash over head as dog ate treats on ground, dog sat in back kennel of corner, hesitant to exit, handler tossed treats, dog pacing in kennel, leaning over threshold, would startle at nearby dogs barking and retreat back into kennel. Handler kept tossing treats and spoke softly, eventually dog slowly exited kennel with lowered posture then darting to the end of the leash, walked outside with mild pull, ears back, alert, handler tried to walk dog into the yard, dog began to thrash backwards, mouthing at leash, handler walked back with dog until they stopped, tried to walk dog to a closer yard, dog again began thrashing backwards and chewing at leash until pressure released, dog walked back to door to kennel building, sitting in corner by doorway, handler grabbed a nearby bucket and tipped it down in front of dog, dog stepped front paws into bucket but then backed out, laid down in corner, handler moved bucket away, dog sat up, handler muzzle wrapped and carried dog into yard. Once in yard, dog sprinted along fence line, tense, low tail, came back to front corner of yard and began jumping up at fence, handler slowly approached and dog stopped jumping, frozen in place, wide eyes, closed mouth, handler knelt nearby and tossed treats, dog did not engage, handler would back away, walking around yard, dog would watch them, no movement or reaction. Handler spent a few minutes in yard, dog did not move once, handler approached and dog took a small step back, rounded posture, handler picked up leash and added clip, dog followed handler out of yard, briefly thrashing back on leash but entered building easily and walked back to kennel, entered quickly and allowed leash removal with clip leash. 10/17/2026 Dog had ears alert; neutral bodied and slightly timid; Greets with tail aligned; Calm and quiet; dis engages with handler minimal greeting and soliciting; **Due to current kennel presence and previous notes; Requesting full evaluation.** 10/13/2026 Scared, trying to hide under chair and desk in triage room. Head shy if you reach for him. Does not want to take treats. Allowed limited petting and handling. Muzzle for vaccines and he jumped and tried to back out of moderate restraint. Walked to kennel, removed slip leash with clip lead. Name: Jackson Animal ID: A5173086 Breed: TAN/BLACK GERM SHEPHERD Sex: Neutered Age: 3Y 0M Weight: 59.5 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing C - 245 Intake Date: 10/13/2026 Deadline Date: 10/27/2026