Top 3 named in Top Dog competition

DEERING — The winner of this year’s Lawrence County Top Dog essay contest was presented with a trophy on Wednesday for her accomplishment.

Avery LaFon, a fifth grader at Dawson-Bryant Elementary School, was named this year’s first place winner for her essay on Champ, the dog of the school’s reading teacher, Rhonda Hall.

Principal Monica Mahlmeister said Champ was a rescue dog, acquired by Hall from Ashland Animal Rescue Fund (AARF).

“She is always talking about him,” Mahlmeister said of Hall, adding that LaFon has had an opportunity to meet the dog, a Labrador/elk hound mix, many times.

The contest was launched by the auditor’s office to increase awareness of dog licensing in the county and is open to third, fourth and fifth graders.

Participating schools this year were Dawson-Bryant, Fairland West, St. Lawrence and Symmes Valley.

The auditor’s office said 120 children took part in this year’s competition, submitting a brief, handwritten essay explaining why a dog should be selected as Top Dog of the County for 2025.

County Auditor Paul David Knipp visited the school on Wednesday to present LaFon with a trophy, and brought a dog tag for Champ, with the number “1”,” as he is the county’s Top Dog.

“The contest is a fun way to increase dog tag sales in Lawrence County, and it helps kids show pride in their pet by being responsible dog owners,” Knipp said. “I really appreciate the kids who took time to submit an essay. We have some great dogs in Lawrence County. It is fun to hear what young owners have to say about their dogs.”

The runner up in this year’s contest was Jacob Ford, a fifth grader at St. Lawrence Elementary School, with his dog, Rosie. Honorable mention went to Will Runyon, a third grader at Fairland West, with his dog, Jack.

Dog tags for 2025 are now on sale. They can be purchased:

Online at www.doglicenses.us/OH/Lawrence/ (http://www.doglicenses.us/OH/Lawrence/)

In person, at the following:

• Lawrence County Animal Shelter, 1302 Adams Lane, Ironton

• South Point Storage, 602 Solida Rd., South Point

• Lawrence County Auditor’s Office, 111 South 4th St, Ironton

• Dickess Market, 13628 State Route 141, Kitts Hill