Dogs accompany North East and Cumbria voters to the polls

Posted by author July 4, 2024 Football

Pam McCaig Isla the whippet, wearing a flower headress, outside a polling station in Sunderland — Isla the whippet appeared in full bloom at one of Sunderland’s polling stations early on Thursday

Thursday is decision day, as people across the North East and Cumbria vote in the UK general election.

Venues have been open since 07:00 BST, and anyone eligible can vote as long as you are in the queue before 22:00 BST.

For some, the trip to the polling station doubles up as an opportunity for pets to stretch their legs – and on a day when there are strict reporting restrictions in place for the media, pictures of dogs at polling stations have become a popular distraction.

Here are a few of the dogs whose owners have already exercised their right to vote.

The summer weather has left much to be desired, meaning this pair of pooches sensibly wrapped up for the trip to the polling station in Penrith, Cumbria

Two dogs at a Penrith polling station, wearing coats to keep them warm — The summer weather has left much to be desired, meaning this pair of pooches sensibly wrapped up for the trip to the polling station in Penrith, Cumbria

Frida, an Italian greyhound, was another fashionable canine decked out in her winter coat, this time in an unseasonal Middlesbrough

Gail Gill Frida, an Italian greyhound, at a Middlesbrough polling station, wearing a winter coat — Frida, an Italian greyhound, was another fashionable canine decked out in her winter coat, this time in an unseasonal Middlesbrough

A more diverse turnout in High Coniscliffe, near Darlington, where Keith Gunning snapped this pair doing their bit to skew the eggs-it polls

Keith Gunning Two chickens walking either side of a polling station sign. — A more diverse turnout in High Coniscliffe, near Darlington, where Keith Gunning snapped this pair doing their bit to skew the eggs-it polls

Whitley Bay Cemetery and Crematorium is among the more unusual polling station venues welcoming voters and their dogs

PA Media A woman with a dog arrives to cast her ballot at Whitley Bay Cemetery and Crematorium — Whitley Bay Cemetery and Crematorium is among the more unusual polling station venues welcoming voters and their dogs

It’s a waiting game: this steadfast spaniel patiently awaited its two-legged friend outside a polling station in Penrith, Cumbria

A black dog waits on a lead outside a polling station in Penrith, Cumbria — It’s a waiting game: this steadfast spaniel patiently awaited its two-legged friend outside a polling station in Penrith, Cumbria

Not everyone enjoyed their visit though – Emma Appleby said her dog, Bella, “didn’t like the disruption to her walk” as they stopped at Abbey Road Sports Pavilion in Darlington

Emma Appleby Bella the dog next to a polling station sign in Darlington — Not everyone enjoyed their visit though – Emma Appleby said her dog, Bella, “didn’t like the disruption to her walk” as they stopped at Abbey Road Sports Pavilion in Darlington

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