The New Jersey Lottery unveiled the winners of its Jersey’s Top Dogs contest at Columbus Park on Tuesday, naming 18 dogs that will help headline the new Jersey Dog scratch-off ticket set to go on sale May 4.
Thousands of pet owners across New Jersey entered the contest, which began with a statewide public vote that cut the field to a Top 50 before the final 18 were chosen to represent standout pets from across the Garden State. The winning dogs will appear on the ticket, which will feature 50 dogs in all, with the 18 contest winners highlighted on the front of the design.
Officials said the project marks the first time the public has helped shape a New Jersey Lottery scratch-off ticket and the first time real dogs will be featured as the stars of one. The lottery said the goal was to connect with communities in a new way while celebrating pets that reflect the personality and spirit of New Jersey.
For the people who spent weeks voting, waiting and rallying support, the announcement landed like a victory lap. Alicia Marino said the morning felt like Christmas, and said students and staff at Roosevelt Park High School backed her dog throughout the contest. “When the kids found out, they went crazy,” she said, adding, “Once they got involved, I knew we had a real chance.” Julia Paster said she opened the winning email and immediately called her family, saying it was the best day of her life.
The lottery now turns the contest into a statewide product launch, with the Jersey Dog ticket available beginning May 4. What made the event unusual was not just the number of submissions or the final 18 winners, but the fact that the public helped shape the ticket itself, turning a scratch-off into a small referendum on which dogs best capture New Jersey pride.