This dog is on our "Call to Action" list because of bite incidents that occurred on 1/22/26. She is currently under a health observation (quarantine) for 10 days, and is due to be released on 2/1. She could be eligible for humane euthanasia.

Pending further review of her case, it is most likely that her handlers will be limited to our most skilled staff and volunteers. This level of handling is necessary for the safety of the dog, volunteers, and staff - but it also means her opportunities for enrichment and social interaction are unfortunately restricted, potentially negatively impacting her quality of life. The need for skilled handling stems from a pattern of poor impulse control, over arousal, and possibly low tolerance of body handling or restraint.

Her behavior has already proven challenging in her first adoptive home, where she bit her adopter multiple times on the arms (minor injuries) when trying to place a collar on the dog back in July 2025. Since then, she has remained resistant to certain handling and is unable to be safely muzzled by handlers for playgroup. She has also demonstrated poor dog-dog social skills.

Penelope has a long history of arousal-based snapping attempts during kennel transitions and restraint, with multiple documented near-misses, four incidents of actual contact, two of which broke skin.

The bite incidents that occurred on 1/22 happened while she was being returned to her kennel. Based on the context and behavior observed, the bite is believed to have been a stress-driven reaction commonly seen in high-arousal shelter environments, rather than offensive aggression.

We will take steps to reduce the likelihood of this happening again, including modifying handling protocols and minimizing exposure to known stressors. However, the shelter environment continues to create significant strain for her, and remaining here increases the risk of repeated incidents.

For the safety of the dog, volunteers, and staff - and to give her the best chance to decompress and succeed - we urgently need an adopter, foster or rescue placement. A calm, stable home setting will allow her to de-escalate, lower her arousal, and show her true behavior more reliably than what we are seeing in the shelter. While we work hard to find her a successful placement, we also welcome additional trained volunteers who are comfortable stepping in to help handle her.