Taco

Taco is an adoptable female Mastiff looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is still very young and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Taco, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/30/2026 10/30/26 15:30 Canine has demonstrated low tolerance for handling and other concerning behaviors during their time in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 11/4/26 to facilitate further behavioral evaluation and support. May be at risk for euthanasia 11/5/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/30/2026 10/30/26 15:26 Per activity notes: Dogs hide under cars and when people walk by they charge them, complainant was charged when walking her dogs. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/29/2026 Dog was on outer portion of kennel; tossed treats; ate some treats tossed on outer portion; would not come inside for treats; retreated towards back end of kennel; closed divider; pulled dog from back; dog was sitting at front of kennel; furrowed brow; ears back; head low; placed taxi right at front of kennel; opened door; able to leash; head shy; opened kennel door; dog remained at front; tried luring into taxi; not interested; handler slowly stepped into kennel; dog moved forward; slowly walked into behavior taxi; rode well; sat in taxi; ears back; furrowed brow; air scenting; front right paw raised. In yard, dog exited taxi; stayed distant from handler; paced back & forth; tail tucked; panting; commisure pulled back; ears back; tossed treats; not interested; defecated; continued to pace; jumped up on bench; laid down on bench; panting; handler sat nearby; dog moved away; dog paced around perimeter; briefly laid down in corner; continued to pace around perimeter; made way back to handler sitting on bench; jumped on bench; walked behind handler sitting on bench; laid on edge of bench; handler slowly reached to pet lower back; skin crawled each time; jumped down; hid in corner of yard between bench and fence; curled up; tolerated slow petting; remained curled up in corner for rest of time. Handler picked leash up; dog would not followed; brought over behavior taxi; placed behavior taxi right in front of dog; used sort board to wedge between fence and dog; entered behavior taxi with no issue; rode well; added clip leash; would not exit taxi; opened divider; dog slowly walked in; hid under bed; removed leash with clip leash. 10/28/2026 Dog was lying down in kennel while hiding under kuranda bed. Opened kennel gate, dog would quickly back away from kuranda bed & retreat to outside half of kennel. Handler approached back half of kennel, dog would quickly retreat back to front half of kennel, slowly closed kennel divider through back half of divider pocket. Handler would approach front half of kennel & opened gate, dog would start to pace along kennel walls. Handler was able to cast a large loop leash onto dog, dog would start to pull back on leash. Handler entered into kennel once dog would settle, used kuranda bed as a sort board to help slowly guide dog to walk into behavior taxi. Rode well to small PY. Would exit out of behavior taxi & quickly retreat to corner of PY. Would start to pace then stand facing corner of PY gate while pressing snout into fence. Would keep tail tucked under body & ears alternating from being flattened to pinned back & panting heavily. After a few moments, handler would approach dog, dog would start to pace along fence line. Handler would sit down on bench, unable to coax dog over verbally or with treats. Slowly approached dog by walking diagonally, stepped onto leash. Attached clip leash to leash then slowly used clip leash to muzzle wrap dog, pick up & carry into behavior taxi as dog would not enter with treats to coax or verbal coaxing. Rode back to kennel without issues. Handler would gently touch back of body & dog would scurry into kennel quickly. Removed leash with use of pre-attached clip leash. 10/27/2026 Needs full evaluation based on activity note. 10/27/2026 Reported that dog ate canned food offered during previous day PM feeding. Will be adding \"wet food\" sign to kennel sleeve. 10/26/2026 Dog did not eat dry kibble offered. Will be adding 2 TBS of canned during PM feeding. 10/25/2026 k9 caught in net, control device used to load in to truck kennel. 10/25/2026 Tail tucked, will not walk on leash, very nervous, carried or pet taxi to kennel, non responsive to handling, panting Name: Taco Animal ID: A5173679 Breed: TAN/BLACK MASTIFF/MIX Sex: Female Age: 0Y 10M Weight: 45.4 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing G - 202 Intake Date: 10/25/2026 Deadline Date: 11/4/2026