Turtle

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

Memo 10/30/2026 10/30/26 14:45 Canine has shown inconsistent responses to handlers, including episodes of behavior escalation. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 11/4/26 to prevent further progression and support ongoing evaluation. May be at risk for euthanasia 11/5/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/15/2026 How long have you had the animal? 1 DAY. SOURCE'S SPOUSE WAS TAKING THEIR DOG FOR A WALK AND SAW THIS PET WANDERING. THIS PET STARTED TO FOLLOW SOURCE'S SPOUSE. JUMPED INTO CAR ON OWN. What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 712 W Fairview St, Chandler, AZ 85225 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. Is animal spayed/neutered? UNK. Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO. Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO. Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NONE WITH SOURCE. PET BARKED BACK AT A DOG IN LOBBY THAT BARKED FIRST. PET BRIEFLY GROWLED AT/BARKED AT ANOTHER PERSON IN LOBBY. SOURCE STATED THEY BELIEVED PET WAS PROTECTING THEM. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO. Was this animal around any children? NO. Did the animal interact with other animals? Cats? NO. Dogs? SOURCE HAS 1 LARGE DOG. THIS PET WAS IN CAR WITH SOURCE'S DOG IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING FOUND. THIS PET INTERACTED WELL WITH SOURCE'S LARGE DOG. SOURCE DID NOT ALLOW PLAY TO ESCALATE AND DID NOT FEED TOGETHER. 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. Can the animal walk on a leash? YES. Does the animal know any commands? NO. Where was this animal kept? INSIDE. If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM IN ONE AREA. If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? ONLY OUTSIDE WITH SOURCE ON LEASH. Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NO. How would you describe the animal’s energy level? MIRRORS HANDLER'S ENERGY LEVEL-MEDIUM Any escapist behavior? NO. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? ALLOWED ALL PETTING, HANDLING AND SHOWED BELLY TO SOURCE AND SPOUSE. PET WAS QUICK TO TRUST. ONCE WARMED UP, PET WAS SEEKING ATTENTION. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/27/2026 Mock M&G. Closed out for AM cleaning. At front of kennel; pacing in kennel; alarm barking; settled on own; offered treat; took treat gently; stood at front of kennel; furrowed brow; allowed for easy leashing; exited; soft; tail wagging; light to moderate pull. In yard, approached assistant handler right away; jumping up; open mouth; tail wagging; allowed for petting; dog would try to jump up towards assistant handler's face; handler started to pick up leash; dog settle before handler could fully pick leash up; chased ball; would could come back to handlers; handler started to pet; leaned in; would turn head; mouth at handler's hand; stopped petting; dog would jump up towards face; assistant handler called for dog; easily able to redirect away; would approach assistant handler; jumped up; easily able to redirect away; took treats gently; would allow for petting; at times would get tense; start to jump up; stopped petting; would go explore yard; brought toys over to assistant handler; allowed assistant handler to reach for toy. Picked leash up; walked well back to kennel; entered kennel; tail became flagged; tense; handler verbally coaxed; slowly reached hand in; allowed for slow leash removal. 10/26/2026 Dog was closed to back half of kennel during AM cleaning. Presented leash without issues. Walked to main PY with a moderate pull on leash. Would sniff nose to ground while exploring, keeping a relaxed body. Would play fetch with multiple toys in rotation. Would allow all petting while keeping a relaxed body. Appears to know \"SIT\" for treats, taking in a mouthy manner, switched to an open palmed hand when offering treats. Would have burst of zoomies in PY then run to handler with full speed, stopping in front of handler, sitting for treats. While petting on head, dog would flip head back, making contact with handlers hand, not applying pressure with mouth to hand, handler would say \"no\" firmly & dog would sit down. Handler would walk around in PY, dog would continue to explore nose to ground. Came to handler when called over. Picked up leash & walked back to kennel without issues. While reaching for leash, dog would start to curl lips while doing a hard stare towards hands. Handler continued to speak to dog while scattering a handful of treats onto ground. Able to remove leash by hand as dog would be eating treats. 10/25/2026 Transporting back to west, K9 was hesitant to enter van but allowed muzzle wrap and for himself to be lifted into van without issue. At west, exited van and walked loose leash through shelter to D wing, ignoring reactive kenneled dogs. When passing through doorway with two strangers on the other side, K9 hesitated, became tense, was easy to verbally coax past but remained staring at the two people until we were past them. Kenneled with no issue, handler placed treats on the floor and removed leash by hand. 10/24/2026 Handler was taking canine on a walk, man passing by asked if he could pet the canine, handler approved. when the man began to pet the canine, canine had a wagging tail, and licking the mans hand, while handler and man were talking the dog began to show teeth and air snapping toward the man's legs, the handler pulled back and stopped the interaction, on the walk back to the kennel the canine was pulling and lightly air snapping some people walking close to him, when back at the kennel he went back in easy, leash was easy to remove. 10/24/2026 Placing an orange card for K9 to be re-evaluated due to on leash behaviors seen during recent walk 10/23/2026 Social / Approaches easily, Easy / Cooperative, Took on walkpath, Medium energy, Social / Affiliative, Easy return 10/22/2026 kennel looked clean. ducked from leash a couple times but otherwise easy to leash. walked right out with handler. minimal pulling, checked in frequently with handler. 10/21/2026 Easy to leash, loose leash while walking, interested in people and other dogs, medium energy, took treats gently, easy to return to kennel. 10/19/2026 Reported that dog ate dry kibble offered from AM feeding before offering 2 TBS of canned food during PM feeding previous day. Dog also ate canned food offered. Will continuwe to monitor food consumption before adding wet food sign to kennel sleeve. 10/18/2026 Dog was closed outside for cleaning, slight tense body, quickly softened when coaxed. Dog wagged tail, accepted treats through gate. Easy to leash. Dog walked mostly loose leash, some stop and go to sniff. Appeared alert to reactive dogs in passing, did not attempt to engage. No issues on way to play yard. In yard, dog had relaxed body language, solicited attention from handler, allowed all petting. Slightly grabby with treats, occasionally jumped up for attention, needed gentle redirection. Dog followed handler around yard, wagging tail. Loose leash on return. Dog stopped to sniff a few other dogs in passing, did not further interact, able to be called away without issue. Dog entered kennel easily, allowed leash removal by hand. *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.* 10/15/2026 On approqach, dog stood behind lobby barrier, wide eyed, alarm barking. Dog ate treats tossed. Opened barrier. Dog followed treat trail out of barrier. Handler able to place leash, dog followed handler into Triage. In room, dog trembling, visually scanning environment. Handler kneeling, dog slowly approached handler, sat next to handler, allowing petting all over. Able to restrain for vaccines. Dog walked to kennel and entered with no issue, allowing handler to remove leash by hand Name: Turtle Animal ID: A5173194 Breed: CHOCOLATE/BROWN AM PIT BULL TER/MIX Sex: Neutered Age: 1Y 0M Weight: 44.2 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing D - 104 Intake Date: 10/15/2026 Deadline Date: 11/4/2026