Wheeling mutt competes in cutest mixed-breed contest

Rusty, a mutt from Wheeling, used to be bait for dog fights.

Now, he's poised to win a contest called the Cutest Mutt Alive sponsored by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The activist animal rights group is holding its first-ever contest to name the most adorable mixed canine.

The PETA people sifted through hundreds of pictures of lovable mutts, picking out the best 10 dogs, who are now on the PETA Web site, where people can vote for them.

The point of the contest is to encourage people to adopt a mutt at an animal shelter rather than buy a pure breed, said David Perle, a PETA communications coordinator.

"We are trying to bring attention to the great American mutt," Perle said.

The road to top dog didn't start well for Rusty.

He was rescued from dogfighters who were using him as bait, PETA said. But since Wheeling resident Debbie Lamlech adopted him, his life has been filled with belly rubs, dog cookies and car rides.

Rusty already has overcome stiff competition. More than 1,000 photos were reviewed by the PETA staff.

To win the cutest mutt title, Rusty must get more online votes than 3-year-old Cookie from Farmingdale, N.Y., 7-year-old Barkley from West Hollywood, Calif., and 6-month-old Cali from Fort Collins, Colo.

To vote for Rusty, go to peta.org/cutest-mutt-alive-vote. asp by March 13. Voters must fill out their full name and e-mail address to be eligible.