Vote for TSA’s ‘Cutest Canine’

Winner to be announced on National Dog Day
Local Press Release
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
TSA’s cutest canine candidates are (from left to right): Kajla from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport; Djanni from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; Lexa-Alexey from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport; and Ron from Oakland International Airport. The canines were nominated byTSA handlers from airports around the country.

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wants the public’s help to determine its cutest canine in honor of National Dog Day, Wednesday, Aug. 26. The TSA Cutest Canine Contest features four “top dog” finalists.

Voting, which opens Wed., Aug. 19 and concludes Fri., Aug. 21, can be completed via the TSA Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 26 on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

The first match up will be Wed., Aug. 19 between Kajla and Djanni. The second will be on Thurs., Aug. 20 between Lexa-Alexey and Ron. The winners of the first two match-ups will go head-to-head on Fri., Aug. 21. The outcome from the final match-up will be the winner of the 2020 TSA’s Cutest Canine Contest.

TSA’s canine teams are most often seen at an airport working in the security checkpoint, assisting with the efficiency and effectiveness of TSA’s screening operations. Because explosives are known to be the greatest threat to the aviation system, these highly-trained canines are effective in the detection of explosive materials and deterrence from the introduction of explosive materials into the transportation system.

TSA currently has more than 1,000 explosives detection canine teams deployed nationwide. They are tasked with screening passengers, cargo, mass-transit and maritime systems, and they support other security missions. Each dog is specially trained to detect the scent of explosive materials. They are paired with TSA handlers and use their keen sense of smell when working in and around travelers and their belongings in busy transportation environments, including airports. Learn more about TSA’s explosives detection canine training program.

While TSA canines are sociable, they are working dogs and they should not be petted or fed by anyone except their handlers. For even more information about our canines, as well as other travel-related content, be sure to follow TSA:

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