AS Scotland heads to the polls to elect a new batch of councillors, there’s only one big story of the day - dogs at polling stations.
With the ballot open at 7am, the media are restricted on what they can and can’t say under electoral rules so journalists can only report non-political stories.
But this has led to one adorable trend - every time there’s an election the hashtag #dogsatpollingstations goes viral, and it’s commonplace to snap a photo of your pooch in front of a polling station sign.
We have taken a quick roundup of some of the adorable dogs accompanying their owners to vote in this year's local council elections.
Elections are also taking place in London, some parts of Northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Politicians and their pups
Johnson wasn't the only politician spotted with a dog in London...
London - local elections are taking place across our city today - and your vote matters. It's never been more important to have your say about the future of our city. Luna says #VoteLabour! 🐶🌹#dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/svuCBiYrXq
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) May 5, 2022
A bit closer to home, candidates were also pictured with their dogs.
Today is polling day and myself and Milo are at Alexandra Parade Primary vote @SNPforGlasgow #dogsatpollingstations #ActiveSNP pic.twitter.com/3sKZv1Ie9d
— Cllr Allan Casey (@AllanCasey89) May 5, 2022
But not all dogs were accompanied by politicians...
Russelling up votes. #UseYourVote #glasgow #hyndland #dogsatpollingstations #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/Qp5rgWD4xv
— Glasgow West End Today 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@GlasgowWEToday) May 5, 2022
#DogsAtPollingStations #ThinkGlobalActLocal#VoteGreen1 pic.twitter.com/Jw4IeGv5WT
— Simon Francis (@si_francis) May 5, 2022
Here’s one for you Laura, the signs are too high at Twynholm today, need a word with returning officer next time! pic.twitter.com/8G7z68TGjk
— Heather #FBSI (@haitchtav) May 5, 2022
Local elections #dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/eDE0XoJGcx
— María Ithurria (@mariaithurria) May 5, 2022
Kicking off the @scottishgreens Dogs at Polling Stations thing, here’s lovely Lola at the polling station in Newton Stewart helping me elect the first ever Green councillors in Dumfries & Galloway 💚 #dogsatpollingstations #VoteGreen #VoteToryCouncilsOut pic.twitter.com/DSmMIJESls
— Daniel Hooper-Jones 🦆 (@danhojo) May 5, 2022
And, it wasn't just dogs either...
When your cat follows you to the booths #CatsAtPollingStations #DogsAtPollingStations #vote @VotingDogs pic.twitter.com/bFiIWT0tCu
— @Coupey (@Coupey) May 5, 2022
Christabel takes his civic duties seriously. Now you! Just don't vote Tory. #tortoisesatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/5k5qZNCBke
— Mariamush 🇬🇧 🇵🇱 🇦🇹🇪🇺 🔸🐢⚗️ (@mariamush) May 5, 2022
Did you take your dog (or other pet) to a polling station today? Tweet us @ScotNational with a picture and we can include your pooch in today's coverage.
