Shih Tzu finalist drops out of NYC dog mayor race
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Enzo the Shih Tzu dropped out of the race for New York City dog mayor on Sunday, just one day before the final vote.
It’s the latest upset in a tumultuous election season for New York City’s pups, including allegations of voter fraud and the rise of a “globally dispersed” crypto community that has taken a liking to finalist Bertram the Pomeranian.
Simon the basset-cattle dog, who lost to Enzo in the last round of voting, will now face off against Bertram on Nov. 11 in the final of 15 voting rounds.
Enzo’s owner, Olivia Caputo, told PIX11 News the rhetoric has become too negative to keep Enzo involved, and she’s received “hateful messages by the dozens.”
“We’re talking about the sweetest little 10-pound Shih Tzu,” Caputo said. “Our whole mission with Enzo is to spread positivity, to spread joy, so I’m trying to do everything in my power to protect that.”
Caputo has concerns about the Bert-inspired cryptocurrency and the potential for people to lose real money, she said.
The owner of Ziggy the Yorkie Mix, who faced Bertram in an earlier voting round, shared Caputo's concern about financial interest corrupting the ballot box and agreed the election experience had become too negative.
Bert’s owner, Kathy Grayson, has no idea why Bert inspired the crypto coin, but many people involved seem genuinely interested in Bert’s story, she said.
Ultimately, the election is not that serious, but Enzo’s supporters mean a lot to Caputo, she said.
“I struggle with mental health issues and he has significantly improved my life,” Caputo said. “I think about how many other people we can reach using social media to give them the same joy and comfort … Keeping our platform a really safe space for people is my top priority.”
Dog mayor election organizer Stephen Calabria said in an Instagram post he remains committed to creating a “fun, inclusive, negativity-free election.”
“We don’t condone negativity directed towards anyone, canine or human, and do not support anyone trying to buy or pay for votes,” Calabria said. “That said, we can’t moderate every conversation on the internet [and] can’t control whether people in the global crypto marketplace organize for a candidate for dog mayor.”
Come Nov. 11, Bertram’s new challenger Simon is ready to take on the crypto world.
“He doesn’t care if he loses to crypto bros next week,” Simon’s owner wrote on Instagram.