Today the mayor of San Francisco is a dog.

The city championed animal rights with a Chihuahua-mix city official, Frida.

This is the first time San Francisco has had a dog mayor, said Deb Campbell, spokeswoman for the city animal shelter, the Department of Animal Care and Control.

The rescue dog, often photographed wearing a colorful sweater, will be saluted during a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, followed by a 4 p.m. gathering on the steps of City Hall that could draw hundreds of animal lovers.


So how did Frida land in the mayor’s chair? At the 25th anniversary gala fundraiser for the ACC, dog owners bid for the honor.

“It was popular and there was a fight for it,” said Campbell. The winner was Dean Clark, who made a “healthy donation to help the shelter,” she said, in return for his dog holding office.

Frida has a fan base in San Francisco, Campbell said. She’s popular on social media and a regular participant at the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Supervisor Scott Wiener will read a commendation for service to Frida at Tuesday’s meeting, Campbell said. Then at the subsequent gathering, Frida will be presented with “further proclamations and a retirement package as she leaves office,” including a deluxe dog bed.


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