Barni, a five-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, has won the prestigious title of TSA’s Cutest Canine of 2024, earning his spot as a fan favorite in the annual contest hosted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Barni’s win highlights not just his adorable demeanor but also the critical role he plays in ensuring the safety of travelers at San Francisco International Airport.
Rising above 87 other contenders, Barni was selected through a nationwide social media contest held on Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Facebook.
The competition culminated in public voting that determined Barni as the top dog among four finalists, each representing TSA’s finest in explosives detection.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske praised the competition, saying, “Our explosives detection canines and their handlers are an essential component of TSA’s multi-layered approach to security. I look forward to this contest every year, and the friendly competition among airports and then with the public is a great way to recognize their work to secure our transportation systems and keep the traveling public safe.”
Barni’s day job is far from glamorous; he works tirelessly alongside his handler, Michelle Cogel, providing explosives detection capabilities as an important layer of security at San Francisco International Airport. While Barni may be all business at the airport, sniffing out potential threats with remarkable efficiency, at home, he’s known for his playful personality, especially when chasing squirrels or playing fetch.
Barni’s dedication to his work will be recognized on a broader scale when he graces the cover of TSA’s 2025 Canine Calendar, which will be released in December. This calendar will serve as a reminder of the crucial role that TSA’s canine teams play in protecting the nation’s transportation systems.
TSA employs more than 1,000 canine teams across the country, each trained to detect explosives and prevent threats from entering the transportation network. These canines are highly skilled, working through large crowds to detect the source of an explosive’s odor, even if the source is mobile. The handlers are trained to read subtle changes in their canine’s behavior when they detect a scent, making these teams a vital part of TSA’s security operations.
As the winner of this year’s contest, Barni has brought a spotlight to the invaluable work that TSA’s canine teams perform every day.
Congratulations are also in order for the other finalists:
- Carlo is a 3-year-old male Vizsla from Kansas City International Airport (MCI). His favorite treats are greenies and rawhide chews, and he loves to play in his backyard while lounging around the pool and waiting for birds, squirrels and an occasional rabbit to chase. Carlo’s favorite reward is a red Kong, but he also likes to play fetch with a ball of any kind. He has been keeping his airport safe for 18 months now and isn’t expected to retire until the year 2033.
- Badger is a 5-year-old male Belgian Malinois from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). He is a fun-loving, hardworking canine whose favorite reward is salmon bites. This cute canine is not your typical Malinois. Badger is very calm and super friendly, and all he wants to do is work and run.
- Birdie is a 3-year-old Yellow Lab/Vizsla from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE). She has been on the canine team for almost one year. Birdie loves her squeaker ball, wiggling her whole backside, and working hard. Her favorite part of screening is searching vehicles and aircraft. She is high energy, loves working all day long, and loves maintaining her bright and shiny smile with occasional Greenies. Birdie finds record keeping boring, so when it is time for her handler to do records, she takes her nap filled with loud snoring so that when she gets home, she still has the energy to go on an evening walk.
