Date of intake:: 5/13/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (Approx 2 years)

Previously lived with:: Adults, kids, and 1 cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Bruce is friendly

Behavior toward children:: Bruce is reported to do well with older children

Bite history:: 5/10/26: Bruce's previous owner states that he attacked and killed the residnet 5 year old cat (Bella). They stated that they removed Bruce from his cage to clean it, and they heard Bella hissing at Bruce. They walked over and found them under the sofa. When they pulled them out, Bruce had Bella in his mouth. The owner states it took them and their daughter to remove Bella from Bruce's mouth. Once they removed Bella from Bruce's mouth Bella was dead.

Date of assessment:: 5/20/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: Inconclusive Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Darting around the room, persistently jumping up on handlers Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Head whips and spins towards the contact Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily, jumps up high on the door when approaching it Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Initially no interest in the toy, then darts towards the assess-a-hand with a tense body when it approaches the toy

Summary (6):: 5/20/26: Bruce is noted by canine behavior to return to kennel with ease when treats are tossed. 5/18/26: (PM WALK) Bruce is at the front of the kennel whimpering with a wagging tail. He is easily leashed and pulls hard out of the kennel. Bruce is taken to the backyard where he stops and sniffs his surroundings. He ignores a small dog that passes by. He relieves himself around the pen and chases a few pigeons. Bruce is then walked back inside the shelter. He pulls hard back inside. Treats are tossed into the kennel and he follows without issue. Once the leash is removed, Bruce begins to push on the kennel door and vocalizes. As the handler leaves, he begins whimpering and vocalizing loudly. He is left with an enrichment item and the interaction is ended.

Summary (7):: 5/18/26: It is reported on the behavior whiteboard that Bruce takes treats hard. It also reads on the board "be careful returning, will fight you". When staff is asked to specify, they report that Bruce will resist being placed into kennel and will pull away. When staff try to muscle him in he is very resistant. 5/18/26: It is reported that Bruce is heavily panting and pacing back and forth while in kennel. When removing him from kennel, Bruce will immediately pull back to the kennel. 5/16/26: Bruce is at the back of the kennel curled up. He quickly approaches the front with a soft body and wagging tail. He is easily leashed and taken out of the kennel. Bruce is walked to the backyard where he pulls moderately. He is brought to a pen where he walks back and forth sniffing the ground. He relieves himself a few times and is walked around the perimeter of the yard. Handler accidentally steps on his foot and he jumps with a small squeak. He refuses to continue walking around the yard. Handler crouches down and Bruce approaches with a loose and wiggly body. He jumps up on the handler's legs and leans into petting. Handler crouches and tries to coax him and he still refuses to move forward. Bruce is then walked back to the shelter and taken to kennel. As the leash is removed and the kennel closed, Bruce begins to jump up and vocalize, pawing and pushing at the kennel front. He is left with a toy and enrichment items and the interaction is ended. 5/13/26: Bruce is exuberant in kennel, wiggly body, panting mildly. When handler begins to unlock door, Bruce begins to paw persistently at the door. Bruce is difficult leash on first attempt because of the constant movement, but allows easy leashing with a treat lure. He is walked out to driveway. In driveway he relieves himself, pulls to areas of interest to sniff. Bruce is treat receptive, when verbally cued he jumps on handler in a social manner, solicits contact. After some time Bruce is walked into office for pictures, he is highly treat receptive. He does not understand sit but he stands on hind legs and waits for treats to be dropped. When returning to kennel Bruce pauses in front of kennel but follows treats into kennel. He repeatedly only steps into kennel far enough to get the treats, after some time handler 'boosts' rear legs into kennel, Bruce allows all contact. Bruce takes treats in kennel offered through kennel bars. 5/13/26: Bruce is observed to be jumping up on the kennel door, barking persistently, and pawing at the door.

Date of intake:: 5/13/2026

Summary:: Allowed leashing and handling

Date of initial:: 5/13/2026

Summary:: Wiggly and unable to settle. Frantic when offered food

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Bruce so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to his fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. No Cats: Due to his bite histpry we recommnd a home with no cats. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Fearful,Anxiety,Bite history (other animal)

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: During his assessment Bruce was observed to head whip when handlers initiated contact. While in care Bruce has been observed to be reluctant to reenter kennel and has to be muscled back into kennel. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Bruce would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. Bite History (Other animal (cat)): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. Anxiety: Bruce was observed to be darting around the assessment office. If Bruce displays anxious behavior in their future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving them other things to focus on to alleviate their anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety.