Cameron Deere from Dawson-Bryant Elementary may or may not get his pet named Lawrence County’s “Top Dog.”

But he knows why Titan should.

“My dog Titan is awesome. He is playful and fast and sometimes catches a ball in his mouth. He also can dance and shake his paw. I think Titan is amazing,” so writes Cameron in an essay he submitted to the Lawrence County Auditor Jason Stephens.

Recently Stephens asked fourth and fifth graders in the county to write about why their dog should be the county’s “Top Dog.”

The winner of the contest will receive Dog Tag No. 1 for free when the tags go on sale Dec. 2. The auditor is personally picking up the tab.

“Other county auditors in the state do a similar type of promotion,” Stephens said. “The goal is to get more folks to buy their dog tags. That is the ultimate reason.”

More than 100 students participated in the contest to win the first dog tag to be issued for the year.

“It is a fun way to bring awareness to the dog tags,” Stephens said.

Tags will be on sale through the end of January at the auditor’s office, Tipton’s on State Route 93, Moore’s Hardware in Proctorville, Dickess Market on State Route 141 in Aid and the Chesapeake Veterinary Clinic. Tags at the auditor’s office cost $12 for the year. At the other locations, the cost is $12.50.

They can also be purchased online at the www.lawrencecountyauditor.org for $14.

All money from the tags goes to the operation of the animal shelter. Last year the tags brought in $120,669.

“Hopefully, we will encourage dog owners to get their tags and be responsible dog owners,” Stephens said.