Bonita

Bonita is an adoptable female Chihuahua looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - East in Mesa, Arizona. She is a young adult and small in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Bonita, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/28/2026 10/28/26 14:56 Canine has a history of concerning behavior in previous home environment, including a bite, that may reoccur in future placements. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 11/2/26 to provide appropriate behavior management and post-adoption support. May be at risk for euthanasia 11/3/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/20/2026 What is the reason for surrender? P2879387 STATED THAT A5172422 IS NOT INTEGRATING WELL AND THERE HAVE BEEN BEHAVIOR ISSUES THAT P2879387 FEELS THEY CANNOT OVERCOME. How long have you had your pet? 2 WEEKS Where did you get this animal from? MCACC EAST Is your pet spayed/neutered? SPAYED Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NO, SOURCE STATED THE PET FINISHED THE MEDS WE PROVIDED. 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? YES, DURING A SINGLE OCCURENCE, THIS PET BIT OWNER MULTIPLE TIMES RESULTING IN MEDICAL TREATMENT NEEDING TO BE GIVEN. Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? YES Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? YES 10/19/26 Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? PRIOR TO BITE NO AGGRESSION TOWARDS PEOPLE. SOURCE STATED THAT THERE WAS GROWLING AND SHOWING TEETH TO OTHER ANIMALS IN THE HOME BUT NO INCIDENTS OR OCCURENCES WITH THE OTHER PETS OF BITING. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO How is the animal around children? YES Please describe behavior around children? SOURCE STATED THAT THIS PET IS ATTACHED TO THEIR 14 YEAR OLD CHILD AND IS VER PROTECTIVE OF THE CHILD. WITH THE THE CHILD THE DOG IS GREAT AND SHOWS LOVE AND AFFECTION. WITH THE 17 YEAR OLD CHILD THE DOG IS ALSO VERY GOOD. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? SOURCE AND 3 KIDS AGES 14, 17, AND 19. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? SOURCE STATED THIS PET IS NOT USUALLY THE INSTIGATOR BUT DOES NOT LIKE IT WHEN OTHER DOGS APPROACH AND WILL WARN AND GROWL. Cats? NONE Dogs? 3 OTHER DOGS EITHER IN THE HOME OR REGULAR VISITORS. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO Is the animal house-trained? YES Is your pet potty trained? IS MOSTLY TRAINED, BUT IS STILL TRAINING NOT TO HAVE ACCIDENTS. Familiar with a dog door? YES Crate trained? YES Leash trained? YES Knows commands? NO Where was this animal kept? Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO Last vaccinations / last vet visit? ON FILE WITH MCACC How would you describe your pet's energy level? CALM TO AVERAGE. Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? SOURCE STATED MOST NOISES SEEM TO SCARE OR STARTLE THIS PET. What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? LOVES THE 14 YEAR OLD CHILD AND HER FLEECE BLANKET. Any escapist behavior? YES Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? YES, RAN AWAY THE SECOND DAY AND OWNER RECEIVED A PHONE CALL AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOG RETURNED. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? 9/30/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE IS MOVING AND CANNOT TAKE A5172421, A5172422, A5172420, AND A5172394 WITH THEM How long have you had your pet? 2 YEARS Where did you get this animal from? FROM SOMEONE GIVING AWAY DOGS Is your pet spayed/neutered? NO Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NO We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? DECLINED 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? NO Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? NO 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? SOURCE STATED A5172421, A5172422, A5172420, AND A5172394 WERE AROUND CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 1 YEARS OLD TO 10 YEARS OLD AND ALL WERE FRIENDLY WITH THE CHILDREN Please describe behavior around children? SOURCE STATED A5172421, A5172422, A5172420, AND A5172394 WERE AROUND CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 1 YEARS OLD TO 10 YEARS OLD AND ALL WERE FRIENDLY WITH THE CHILDREN, ALLOW HANDLING Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN, ALLOW HANDLING BY ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? A5172421, A5172422, A5172420, AND A5172394 WERE AROUND EACH OTHER AND DID WELL TOGETHER, PLAYFUL Cats? N/A Dogs? A5172421, A5172422, A5172420, AND A5172394 WERE AROUND EACH OTHER 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? SOURCE STATED DOG DOES NOT LIKE TO SHARE FOOD AND MUST BE FED SEPARATELY Is the animal house-trained? NO Is your pet potty trained? NO Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? NO Leash trained? NO Knows commands? NO Where was this animal kept? INSIDE AND OUTSIDE Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO Last vaccinations / last vet visit? NO VACCINE HX How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH ENERGY, PLAYFUL Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? DOG IS SCARED OF FIRE WORKS What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? LOVES PUPPERONI, CAN BE SHY BUT WARMS UP WITH FOOD Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? 9/30/2026 The following pets came in together: A5172420 A5172421 A5172422 A5172394 Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/21/2026 Canine came to front of kennel when handler came by to give treats. Tail wagging rapidly, layed down and rolled on her side, kept inching closer into the bars of the kennel crying/whining. 10/20/2026 Pet was timid in the room and lowering to the floor with ears back. Was able to coaxed on to scale with hot dogs. Wrapped in towel and muzzled for handling. Pet was carried to kennel. Orange due to previous bite history. 10/6/2026 m&G 10/3/2026 m&G 10/3/2026 m&G 10/1/2026 Soft and wiggly body language, seeking attention from handler. Placing YELLOW level based on kennel presence and intake notes. *Dog should be fed separately from other pets in the home and should not be given shared resources in order to prevent resource guarding. *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.* 9/30/2026 slight nervous body, allowed all handling and vaccinations, carried to kennel Name: Bonita Animal ID: A5172422 Breed: WHITE/BROWN CHIHUAHUA SH Sex: Spayed Age: 2Y 1M Weight: 8.3 lbs Kennel: East Kennel, Wing C - 285 Intake Date: 10/20/2026 Deadline Date: 11/2/2026