WESTFIELD — Westfield’s Top Dog Contest for 2025 is now open, according to City Clerk Kaitlyn Bruce. The contest, now in its second year, offers residents the opportunity to have their loyal companions compete to be named Westfield’s “Top Dog,” while at the same time promoting dog licenses in the city, as all participants must have a valid license.
“Licensing helps prevent rabies outbreaks by requiring a certificate of vaccination for all dogs. It also increases the chance that you will be reunited with your pet in the unfortunate event they are lost,” Bruce said. “If we can bring safety and fun together with a little friendly competition, it’s a win-win.”
Residents may register their dog(s) for the contest by submitting high resolution photos of their pets now through Nov. 1 to www.cityofwestfield.org/topdog.
Each photo should contain the image of only one dog. Residents who own more than one dog may enter each of them separately. The top five submissions will be featured on the city’s website for public voting Dec. 1-28.
The finalist that receives the most votes will receive dog tag No. 1 for 2025, and the dog’s photo will be hung in the city clerk’s office for the year, as well as shown on the city web page. Second and third place winners will receive dog tags No. 2 and No. 3.
Last year’s contest was an immediate hit, with a total of 107 entrants. The winner was Walter, a Doberman owned by Trish LaBelle, who received 361 votes out of the total 1,334 votes cast.
Walter, who will continue to sport Dog Tag 1 through the end of 2024, is a search-and-rescue dog and a Canine Good Citizen who is also certified to visits nursing homes and cancer centers. During his reign as Westfield’s Top Dog of 2024, Walter has been helping the city clerk’s office spread dog licensing information on the city’s Facebook page, according to Bruce.
Second place in 2024 went to Bauer Zamboni, an unofficial mascot for Elms College, who received 331 votes. The third place winner at 313 votes was Georgia, whose owner said, “she healed my heart in ways I didn’t think were possible” after the loss of her beloved dog Mack.
For more information on the Westfield Top Dog Contest, contact the city clerk’s office at 413-642-9394 or www.cityofwestfield.org/880/Dog-Licenses.
