Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Barni, a five-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer and explosives detection canine at San Francisco International Airport, has been crowned the winner of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 2024 Cutest Canine Contest. TSA held its annual nationwide social media contest last week, inviting the public to vote on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook for the agency’s “cutest canine” among four finalists. TSA canine handlers from airports and enforcement teams nationwide nominated candidates, which were then shortlisted by TSA employees from an original pool of 87 adorable contenders to the final four.
“Our explosives detection canines and their handlers are an essential component of TSA’s multi-layered approach to security,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “I look forward to this contest every year, and the friendly competition among airports and then with the public is a great way to recognize their work to secure our transportation systems and keep the traveling public safe.” Barni’s victory earns him a spot on the front cover of TSA’s 2025 Canine Calendar, set for release in December.
This annual contest is part of the agency’s celebration of National Dog Day, highlighting the crucial role that TSA’s hardworking canines play in safeguarding the nation’s transportation systems. A passenger screening canine (PSC), Barni, works alongside his handler, Michelle Cogel, at San Francisco International Ai.