MINNEAPOLIS - Voting is underway in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 2023 Cutest Canine contest, and Zita, a three-year-old German Shorthair pointer who works at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport, is one of four finalists in this year’s contest.
The public is invited to help the agency select which of its working canines is most deserving of the title. All voting is being conducted via TSA’s social media platforms including its Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. Zita will be competing in Round One of voting Monday, Aug. 21 through Tuesday, Aug. 22. If she advances, the public can vote for her again in the final round of online voting starting Wednesday, Aug. 23.
TSA will announce the contest winner on Monday, Aug. 28.
After graduating from TSA’s Canine Training Center in November 2022, Zita was assigned to MSP to replace Eebbers, who retired last year after being named 2022’s Cutest Canine. MSP would be the first airport to boast back-to-back winners if Zita wins the contest this year.
TSA utilizes canines like Zita in its security operations nationwide. They are trained to detect the scent of explosives or explosive materials. These highly-skilled dogs are paired with handlers and utilize their keen sense of smell when working in a busy transportation environment.
Canines are a visible layer of security and they supplement TSA’s efforts to keep travelers safe and secure. In addition to working in aviation environment, they are also trained to work in mass transit, commuter rail and maritime venues. TSA currently has more than 1,000 explosives detection canine teams deployed nationwide.
In addition to MSP’S Zita, the other finalists are Dina, a German Shorthaired Pointer from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS); Zeta, a German Shepherd from Tampa International Airport (TPA); and Joker-Jordan, a Belgian Malinois from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
Below are the direct links to TSA’s social media accounts where votes can be cast. Don’t delay, “paws” what you are doing and vote for Zita today!
- On Instagram: www.instagram.com/tsa
- On Twitter: www.twitter.com/tsa
- On Facebook: www.facebook.com/tsa
On LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/tsa