UK voters flock to voting stations with their pets

Britain is known as a nation of pet lovers. 

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson, seeking re-election, seems to have decided to keep the UK's reputation intact when he arrived at the polling station on Thursday with his pet dog.

Johnson came with his pet rescue dog, Dilyn, to cast his vote in the 2019 general election.    

He arrived at the Methodist Central Hall in the Cities of London and Westminster constituency, walking Dilyn inside before posing briefly for pictures cuddling the Jack Russell moments after putting his cross down, ITV reported.

Johnson and his partner, Carrie Symonds, adopted the dog earlier this year from the charity Friends of Animals Wales.

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan also posted a video of himself and his dog Luna at a polling station and appealing people to vote.

Soon #dogsatpollingstations was trending on Twitter as many pet owners followed Johnson and the city's Pakistani-origin mayor while going to the polling booths.

Dog owners were also sharing photos of their pooches that are donning fairy lights and Santa hats.

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Meanwhile, the Dog's Trust has issued some advice for owners taking their pets to polling stations, the BBC reported.

Most dogs - except assistance dogs - are not allowed into the polling station. 

Rather than leaving your dog tied up outside or in the car, the charity recommended that the pet owner should take a voting buddy to look after the animal while the person voted.

"Ask your local Polling Station to have a water bowl for your dog, or take one with you," the Trust said.

"If you are voting in the dark, the charity suggests using a reflective collar and lead or a high visibility coat or flashing collar to make sure other voters and particularly drivers can see your pooch especially if you live in a rural area," it added. 

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