Staff Report

Published Oct. 14, 1999

All dogs who can’t run with the big dogs will be on the porch Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24.

Those who can run with the big dogs will be on stage competing for Top Dog honors in the annual K9 Joe Contest at the Knox Ryals Pavilion in downtown Brundidge.

The K9 Joe Contest is held in conjunction with the Peanut Butter Festival and in honor of Joe Leverette, the pipe-puffing, pistol-packing pooch who served as the town’s assistance chief of police during the heydays of the peanut butter mills.

Joe Leverette received national acclaim when he attended FBI school in Birmingham and graduated along with other highly esteemed lawmen.

He was known far and wide for his ability to take a bite out of crime and he put fear in the hearts of many men. Joe hunted criminals for fun and rats for bounty. He campaigned for local politicians and was said to be responsible for Ben Reeves landslide into the sheriff’s office.

Joe was featured in a national company’s dog biscuit advertisement but refused to eat their too hard and less-tastey-than-chicken-legs morsels.

When he died, his obituary was listed among the humans by the highly esteemed Montgomery Advertiser.

All things considered, the Brundidge Historical Society deemed Joe worthy of recognition during their annual harvest and heritage celebration.

So, on Sunday, Oct. 24, all dogs worthy to follow in Joe’s paws will compete for the Top Dog title for 1999.

There will be several categories including Hot Dog, Ruff ‘n Tuff, Pretty Pup and Mutt and Mug look alike and the K9 Joe Award.

There will also be prizes for Paw-sonality and talent.

All contestants will receive animal treats including peanut butter flavored bone and Joe’s favorite – Animal Crackers.

There is a small fee of $1 to enter the contest and entries are taken until show time. All dogs are invited to participate no matter if their bark is bigger than their bite.