Boston

Boston is an adoptable male German Shepherd looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, 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 Boston, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/23/2026 10/23/26 15:08 Canine has displayed concerning behavior patterns in both the home and shelter environments. Without consistent management, behaviors may continue or escalate. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 10/28/26 to provide behavioral support and oversight. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/29/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/19/2026 What is the reason for surrender? DOG BIT SOURCE'S DAUGHTER ON THE ARM How long have you had your pet? 5 DAYS Where did you get this animal from? MCACC Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES 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 NOTED THAT THE DOG SHOWED SOME DISCOMFORT WHEN PETTING LEFT HIP. We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? N/A Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? YES, DOG BIT SOURCE'S DAUGHTER ON THE ARM. SOURCE STATED THEIR DAUGHTER WAS COMING OVER TO THEM TO GET A BOTTLE. THE DOG WAS LAYING ON THE COUCH WITH SOURCE AND WHEN THE DAUGHTER TOUCHED SOURCE, DOG BIT DAUGHTER ON THE ARM. BRUISING OCCURRED, NO SKIN BROKEN Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? N/A Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? N/A Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? YES, DOG HAS GROWLED AT OTHER PEOPLE. SOURCE STATED THE DOG HAS GROWLED AT THEIR PARTNER WHEN HE GETS TOO CLOSE TO HER. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? YES, DOG WAS AROUND 8 MONTH OLD. Please describe behavior around children? DOG WAS FRIENDLY AND LICKED SOURCE'S CHILD. DOG BECAME PROTECTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS THE CHILD AFTER A DAY. DOG BIT CHILD ON THE ARM, NO SKIN BROKEN. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 2 MEMBERS IN HOUSEHOLD. DOG WAS FRIENDLY WITH SOURCE. DOG WAS NOT FRIENDLY WITH SOURCE'S ROOMMATE. SOURCE STATES THE DOG BIT THEIR ROOMMATE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF BITE. SOURCE STATED THE ROOMMATE TRIED TO PET DOG WHEN THE DOG WAS LAYING ON SOURCE AND DOG BIT THE ROOMMATE. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? NONE Dogs? BARKED AND GROWLED AT THE DOGS THEY SAW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. NEVER INTERACTED. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NONE Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NONE Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? YES, GUARDING OF SOURCE. ANY TIME DOG WAS LAYING ON THE COUCH WITH SOURCE, DOG WOULD GROWL AT THE OTHER MEMBER IN THE HOUSEHOLD. SOURCE STATED THE DOG WOULD DOG WAS NOT OBSERVED GUARDING FOOD, WATER, OR TOYS. SOURCE STATED THAT THE DOG WOULD GUARD HER WHEREVER SHE WENT. Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? NO Leash trained? YES, PULLS Knows commands? SIT Where was this animal kept? INSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? COUNTER SURFING, BROKE A LAMP Last vaccinations / last vet visit? N/A How would you describe your pet's energy level? CALM, WITH HIGH ENERGY SPURTS Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? NONE What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? FETCH, SQUEAKY TOYS, WALKS Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NONE Any Additional details/notes on behavior? NONE 9/25/2026 What is the reason for surrender? PET IS ILL, REFUSING TO EAT. SOURCE STATED THEY CANNOT AFFORD CARE. How long have you had your pet? 6 DAYS. Where did you get this animal from? ACS NEW. Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES. Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? COUGHING. DRY HEAVING. REFUSING TO EAT. PET ENTERED WITH MEDICATION PRESCRIBED AT MCACC AND COUGH MEDICINE PRESCRIBED BY OUTSIDE VET. SOURCE STATED NO MEDICATIONS HAVE BEEN GIVE TODAY AND THAT PET HAD TO BE FORCED TO SWALLOW PILLS BECAUSE WOULD NOT TAKE EVEN INSIDE A HOT DOG. We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? NO. Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO. Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO. Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? N/A Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? N/A 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. How is the animal around children? PET WAS AROUND ONE 3 YEAR OLD CHILD. Please describe behavior around children? PET WAS FRIENDLY AND GENTLE WITH CHILD. WOULD SEEK ATTENTION FROM CHILD AND APPROACH CHILD TO LICK. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 2 ADULTS AND 1 CHILD. PET DID WELL WITH ALL FAMILY MEMBERS. FRIENDLY. SOUGHT ATTENTION. FOLLOWS PEOPLE AROUND HOME. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? NO. Dogs? BARKED AT OTHER DOGS IN LOBBY. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NO. Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NO. Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO. Is the animal house-trained? YES. Is your pet potty trained? YES-GOES TO DOOR TO ALERT. Familiar with a dog door? NO. Crate trained? YES. Leash trained? YES. PULLS SOME. Knows commands? RESPONDS TO SIT, STAY, COME. Where was this animal kept? INSIDE. Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO. Last vaccinations / last vet visit? TAKEN TO VET 09/21 How would you describe your pet's energy level? MEDIUM Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? NO. What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? FETCH. LOVES BALLS. Any escapist behavior? NO. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? SOURCE STATED PET WAS VERY SWEET. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/22/2026 Dog met handler at outside gate with soft face and body, wagging tail. Attempted to push out of kennel, contained with pressure against gate, able to be leashed over top of head. Dog exited kennel, hackles raised when passing reactive dogs, this dog would begin chuffing and attempt to pull towards them. Handler used moderate leash pressure and verbal cues to guide dog away. Walked to high-yard fence. Dog explored yard, sniffing, not interested in handler but would occasionally look up and wag tail when called. Eagerly accepted treats. Allowed petting but did not seek it out. Continued to explore, began pacing at fence when hearing nearby dogs begin barking. Handler approached, dog allowed petting and leash retrieval. Moderate pull on return. Dog would growl, whine, and attempt to dart towards other dogs in kennels, needed leash pressure and coaxing to redirect. At kennel, dog initially stepped front feet inside, then quickly backed out, began fence fighting with neighboring dog. Handler walked dog away, then back, dog would not enter kennel, jumped back and attempted to run on leash. Lunged back towards neighboring dog, fence fighting. Handler guided dog away; dog turned quickly towards handler; handler straight-armed leash and walked dog away. Dog began to settle, wagged tail, allowed petting. Second handler arrived, tried luring dog into kennel; dog entered, then bolted out, resumed fence fighting. Second handler closed neighboring dogs inside, then called out to this dog through open divider. Dog entered kennel, turned and attempted to bolt as gate was being closed. Handler began removing leash via clip lead; dog whined, bit at leash twice. Once leash was off, dog accepted more treats through gate. 10/21/2026 Closed out for AM cleaning. At front of kennel; soft; tail wagging; opened kennel door; started jumping up on kennel door; scratching at door; got paw through leash; pulled leash out; dog continued to jump; tried pushing out; used smaller loop to leash; leashed; exited; moderate to hard pull. In yard, dog ran around in yard; soft; handler was picking up feces; dog quickly ran over to handler; sniffed; ran away; continued to explore; followed staff walking along yard fence; stood on hind legs; easily able to verbally redirect off; tried offering treats; approached handler; jumped up; attempted to grab treats; ran off; explored. Staff was walking past with a dog; this dog approached fence; stood on hind legs; looked over; got down; tried jumping over; handler was able to pick leash up quickly; continued to try jumping over; walked dog away; exited yard; walked with hard pull to high yard fence; turned around; bit at leash briefly; continued walking. In yard, dog explored; approached handler; leaned into handler; allowed for all petting; not interested in treats; remained near handler; allowing all petting; picked leash up; exited; pushed past yard gate; hard pull; entered kennel quickly; pushed out; entered again on own; closed door; tried pushing out; tried removing leash; dog would jump up; scratch at handler's arm; eventually able to remove leash by hand. 10/19/2026 Orange due to His Review, allowed all handling in room, walked to kennel 10/6/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Fetch toys, Not interested in treats, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Soft body/tail wagging on approach. Walked well to PY. Loved toys- stuffies and balls. Very gentle with stuffies, carried around in mouth. Solicited pets, allowing pets all over. Laid in pool, played fetch. Knows \"drop it\". Gentle, affectionate pup. Easy return. 9/28/2026 Dog did not offered dry kibble and offered canned food. Will be offering treats during PM feeding. Day 2 9/27/2026 Soft face, calm, gentle tail wag when spoken to. Placing YELLOW level based on kennel presence and intake notes. *Adopters should be made aware of dog's medical notes.* *Dog should not be introduced to any other pets until end of 14-day decompression period. Potential adopters should be counseled on proper dog introductions, which must be slow and supervised. This approach is essential for the safety, comfort, and well-being of all pets involved.* 9/27/2026 Dog did niot eat on day 1. Will be adding 2 TBS of wet food in PM feed. 9/25/2026 tail flagged, placed into bucket to move to I. allowed petting, wagged tail and licked handlers hands. allowed restraint for vaccines. easy leash removal by hand 9/19/2026 , I went on an East meets West walk today! 9/12/2026 Standing calmly with soft face, ears perked, wagging tail. Placing YELLOW level based on kennel presence and intake notes. *Dog should not be introduced to any other pets until end of 14-day decompression period. Potential adopters should be counseled on proper dog introductions, which must be slow and supervised. This approach is essential for the safety, comfort, and well-being of all pets involved.* 9/10/2026 Allowed easy leash placement. Did not exit the vehicle, needed help to exit. Walked on leash to truck kennel. Allowed to be picked up and place into truck kennel. 9/10/2026 walks on leash - slowly, approach slowly, nervous with handler(s) at first but warms up after a bit, timid, avoidant of handlers, takes treats gently, some tail wagging Name: Boston Animal ID: A5171410 Breed: BROWN/BLACK GERM SHEPHERD/MIX Sex: Neutered Age: 5Y 1M Weight: 67.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing F - 178 Intake Date: 10/19/2026 Deadline Date: 10/28/2026