Norwich — Callie, an 11-year-old beagle mix, is the No. 1 dog in Norwich for the next year.

Callie’s owner, Gail Greika of Old Canterbury Turnpike, won the annual city clerk’s office contest for the No. 1 dog license tag for the coming year. Mayor Deberey Hinchey will pay the $8 license fee for the winner, and Callie will receive a large gift basket of treats, toys and grooming and pet supplies, courtesy of Assistant City Clerk Roseanne Muscarella.

Greika said Callie is a vocal beagle that loves hikes on the rhododendron trail at Pachaug State Park. All you have to do to get Callie excited, Greika said, is to say “walk” or “park.”

The annual contest is held to raise awareness that June is the month when all dog owners must renew their state dog licenses. The city clerk’s office received 94 early registrations that were entered into the contest, City Clerk Betsy Barrett said.

The No. 2 dog tag will be worn by Roxie, a 1-year-old black mouth mountain cur, owned by Carol and Robert Mattia-Slater, and the No. 3 tag will be worn by Zoey, a 3-year-old Shih-Tzu, owned by Elaine Ross.

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