Melo

Melo is an adoptable male Doberman Pinscher looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is still very young and small in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 2 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Melo, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/22/2026 10/22/26 13:39 Canine is presenting with under-socialized behavior and limited engagement. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 10/27/26 to provide structured support and prevent potential progression of these behaviors. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/28/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/16/2026 10/16/26 10:02 HMartinez Came in together: A5173208, A5173207, A5173210, and A5173211 Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/23/2026 Pancaked when handlers placed leash. Attempted to hide and cower under kuranda bed and in between water/food bowl. Lightly bear hug restrained to administer injection. K9 did good and tolerated restraint. Easily unleashed by hand. 10/20/2026 Closed in for AM cleaning. Dog was laying on bed; tossed treats; came forward for treats; ate tossed treats; would retreat back onto bed; whale eyed; ears back; opened kennel door; dog retreated to back corner of kennel; easily able to lasso leash after a few attempts; placed behavior taxi right at front of kennel; would not come forward; stepped into kennel; dog retreated onto bed; pancaked on bed; lifted bed up slowly; dog walked towards front; entered taxi; rode well in taxi. In yard, dog slowly exited; remained distant from handler; airplane ears; tail tucked; stood in corner of yard; tossed treats; made a treat trail; dog slowly approached for treats; followed treat trail; handler extended hand out with treat; slowly reached forward for treat; took treat gently; backed up; handler extended hand out further; dog would reach forward to take treat; dog would then back up; moved away from handler; stayed distant; would not approach again. After a few moments, handler tried to approach; dog moved away; picked leash up; tried to pet; flinched; walked away from handler; positioned taxi in catch pen; tossed treats; reached for some; handler walked behind; dog would walk ahead; walked into behavior taxi; rode well back to kennel; entered kennel; cowered in corner; allowed for leash removal. 10/19/2026 Pancaked to bed on approach, very timid, whale eye, little eye contact with handler but showed interest in treats tossed near. Wary of leash and handler approaching, slow pacing in back of kennel with tail tucked, hunched over body, would hesitantly and gently accept treats offered, able to place large loop leash over dogs head with no issues. Does not walk on leash, skin crawled heavily when brushing end of leash on back, able to drape towel over and carry into taxi with no issues. Rode fine to small play yard, pancaked to bottom of taxi, easily startled. Once in yard dog was hesitant to exit taxi, hunched over body, tail tightly tucked, whale eye towards handler, allowed handler to approach while in taxi and tolerated petting but did not seek attentions, ate treat gently when offered, would follow treat trail out of taxi and slowly make way towards handler via treat trail and TREAT/RETREAT but wary to fully approach, would accept treats gently when offered but quickly retreats away from handler, repeated this throughout evaluation until retreating to corner of yard and freezing in place, tense bodied, wide eyed, some trembling in back legs, allowed handler to continue approaching and accepting treats. When picking up leash dog would start to lightly pull away, able to drape towel over and carry into taxi with no issues. Easy return to kennel, allowed handler to scoot dog out of taxi into kennel, pancaked to middle of kennel allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 10/16/2026 Barking and avoided people. Food motivated, so traps were set up. Growled and barked in trap. Thrashed and bit catch pole as ACO was placing dog in the truck kennel. Growled and lip curl in the truck kennel. 10/16/2026 Growled at officer when removing from kennel, placed on catch pole. Stiff body, whale eyed, tolerated vaccines with catch pole restraint, transported to kennel in bucket Name: Melo Animal ID: A5173208 Breed: BLACK/BROWN DOBERMAN PINSCH/MIX Sex: Male Age: 0Y 6M Weight: 24.2 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing G - 205 Intake Date: 10/16/2026 Deadline Date: 10/27/2026