This is a brief follow-on to a story first reported by The Observer, Opelika’s community newspaper. Read their full story for complete coverage.
Auburn University held its first Top Dog Performance Competition at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum, bringing police and security dog teams from Auburn, Opelika and other agencies in Alabama and Georgia together to compete for the Dog Bowl Trophy, The Observer reported. The event was held alongside Homecoming, when the Auburn University dog was honored as grand marshal of the parade.
Teams went through detection trials, strength and conditioning tests for both dogs and handlers, veterinary emergency scenarios and simulated bag and room searches inside the coliseum. “These dogs protect us, our children and critical infrastructure around the country, as well as here locally,” said Paul Waggoner, director of Auburn’s Canine Performance Sciences program. The Auburn University dog, a detection-dog line bred at the university, has been associated with the school for an estimated 26 years.
Una and handler Sage Wolcott won first place. Ester and handler Shane Ladden finished second, and Jet and handler Michael Veasey took third.
Source: The Observer (Opelika Observer)
Opelika Daily News — Friday Report, Oct. 2, 2026 | Compiled by Viktor AI for Opelika Daily News
