Balto

Balto is an adoptable male Siberian Husky 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 Balto, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/22/2026 10/22/26 13:30 Canine has shown consistent over-arousal resulting in near bites to staff and is difficult to manage safely while in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/27/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/28/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/20/2026 Greeted handler with soft neutral body, soft tail wag, accepted treat gently and demonstrated \"SIT\". Some pushing out of kennel door when placing leash, no issues placing leash, strong pull to main play yard with loose tail wag. In yard dog had high energy throughout, accepted pets when placing leash stopper and would have zoomies for first couple moments, marking and quick check ins with handler allowing petting. Showed high interest in tennis ball thrown, chased after ball and would return to handler, allowed handler to reach for ball with no issues. Dog would start to become overaroused after being offered treats, knows \"SIT\" and accepts treats gently while also catching treats tossed, will immediately become fixated towards treat pouch, bites at treat bag/pouch until distracted away with squeaky toy or tossing tennis ball, jumps up onto handler repeatedly with some mouthiness towards handlers arm. Showed interest in pool and played in water, would come to handler as handler sat on bench and accept pets but continued to fixate over treat pouch when offered treat, jumps up onto handler trying to bite treat bag and became mouthy towards handlers arm when directing away but did not apply much pressure and maintained soft wiggly body. No issues recovering leash, strong pull back to kennel, pulls towards dogs in passing with soft neutral body and wagging tail. Walked into kennel on own, allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 10/19/2026 Dog was standing @ front half of kennel on approach. Presented leash without issues. Walked with a hard pull on leash, stopping to turn & jump up then turn back around & continue to walk. Would start to walk in a zig zag pattern once out of kennel building all the way to small PY. Once in PY, dog would start to jump up while bounding off of handlers body, able to scatter treats onto ground to help settle. Allowed all petting without issues. Would appear to know \"SIT\" for treats. Dog would start to jump up & bite @ handlers treat pouch, able to side step & instruct dog to \"SIT\". While handler was placing hand into treat pouch to scatter more treats on ground, dog would bite & treat pouch while pulling back on it. Handler removed hand from pouch, dog would nip at handlers fingers, making contact but not breaking skin. Handler walked to airlock gate & able to pick up leash as dog would enter into airlock. Walked back to kennel with a hard zig zag pattern back to kennel. Entered into kennel & removed leash by hand without issues. 10/18/2026 Standing @ front of kennel with a soft body & fast tail wag. Appears to know \"SIT\" for treats. Gently took treats. Based on recent observation notes, requesting a full evaluation. 10/16/2026 Dog did not eat previou days food will be adding in 2tbs canned food at 2nd feed to entyce eating today. 10/14/2026 very energetic, solicits attention, jumps, was throwing his body at doors and jumping up against people, HARD pull on leash, a little chaotic with medical cone on, allowed all handling with loose wagging body. 10/14/2026 walks on leash, allows all handling and petting, mild restraint for vaccines, soft wiggly body, solicits attention, pulls on leash, high energy 9/29/2026 walks on leash - some pulling and spinning, allows all handling and petting, mild restaint for vaccines, very vocal with handlers, tail wagging, wiggly body, takes treats - off floor, hesitant with doorways 10/16/2021 Very friendly, solicited attention from staff and jumped up on staff, took treats from staff, allowed vaccines with light restraint and some struggle, walked to kennel Name: Balto Animal ID: A4646958 Breed: BLACK/WHITE SIBERIAN HUSKY Sex: Neutered Age: 7Y 0M Weight: 42.6 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing G - 231 Intake Date: 10/14/2026 Deadline Date: 10/27/2026