Shropshire Star

In Pictures: Shropshire dogs - and a pony - at polling stations for General Election 2024

After a long six weeks of campaigning, polling stations have opened for voters to have their say - which means the return of #dogsatpollingstations.

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Dog lovers across the county are popping to the polling stations with pups-in-tow today as the polls open.

It took less than half an hour of the polls being open before #dogsatpollingstations began to trend on X (formerly Twitter). Within two hours, it was outperforming #GeneralElection24.

The online trend began gathering momentum in the UK general elections of 2015 and 2017, by 2019, participants included Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan - Ed Davey even posted a picture of his family's guinea pig.

So as voting gets underway, we've been scouring the internet for Shropshire's best boys and girls participating in the democratic process (sort of).

Gus the Pug in Shrewsbury
Border Collie, Rosie, in Wrockwardine
Abbie Russell from Telford with Benson. Picture: Phil Blagg Photography
Monty and Dora with owners Anne and Gareth Reed in Ironbridge. Photo: Phil Blagg Photography
Maggie in Gobowen
Minna, helping her owner cast her vote in Bridgnorth
Lizzie the Lurcher in Shrewsbury
Daisy and Elsie turning out with their owner, Tom
Good boy Pachino (AKA Chino) at the polls
Wenlock and Farley in Ketley, Telford
Hugo in Donnington, Telford

It's not just been pups at the polls either, Church Aston resident Amy Hughes travelled to her station on horseback on Thursday morning.

It was the first trip to the polls for nine year old Connemara pony, Vali.

Amy explained: "It's about 2.5 miles each way so Vali and I left home just before 6.30am in order that I could get there and then home in time for work.

"I think that voting is really important, and so I enjoy the sense of occasion in riding to the polling station - and also hope to raise awareness/inspire others to get out and vote for change."

Amy Hughes and her Connemara pony, Vali at Church Aston. Photo: Louise Patterson
Amy Hughes and her Connemara pony, Vali at Church Aston. Photo: Louise Patterson

Taking your pet to the polls? Email your pictures to megan.jones@shropshirestar.com