NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – The field is wide open for New York City's next honorary dog mayor now that Sally the Basset Hound is out of the race.
Voting for the position started last week, and the competition is stiff. The 16 candidates hail from all five boroughs and once a new mayor is named, the pup will serve a two-year term.
In the first round, Pepper the Mini Chocolate Daschund knocked out Zayla the Rottweiler. Throughout the next few months, New Yorkers will vote from a pool of 16 “canine-didates,” casting their final vote on Nov. 4.
"Pepper isn’t just your average pup — he’s a four-year-old miniature chocolate dapple dachshund with a larger-than-life personality and an undeniable charm," wrote representatives of the election. "Being NYC’s Dog Mayor would be the biggest honour of Pepper’s 28 dog years."
On July 31, Puccini the Yorkiepoo will take on Mello the Samoyed to move forward in the March Madness-style bracket to elect the new mayor and Deputy Dog Mayor, a post that will go to the runner-up.
Voting takes place every Wednesday from midnight to midnight on Dog Mayor NYC's social media accounts.
In 2022, Sally the Basset Hound beat Riley the Golden Retriever to become New York City’s first dog mayor. In her two-year term, she represented her constituents at dog adoption events, rallies for pet foundations and one-on-one meetings with Mayor Eric Adams.
But pups can only serve two terms, and Sally decided to hang up her leash and not run again.
“Per a written statement left near her food bowl, she states her decision is based on wanting to spend more time with her family, friends, and dog bed, as well as the amount of stairs it takes to get into City Hall,” wrote representatives of Sally’s administration on Instagram. “When asked about whether she endorses any of the pawliticians, she said no comment at this time.”
