IN PICTURES: SNAKE AND A HORSE JOIN DOGS AT POLLING STATIONS

It's become an expected feature of every election - as people make the way to polling stations, so do their dogs (and other animals).

For some, the trip to exercise their right to vote doubles up as an opportunity for their pets to stretch their legs.

The hashtag #dogsatpollingstations on X and Instagram is a highlight of election days for animal lovers on social media – and it’s one of the few things we are able to report on whilst polls are open.

Our reporting on polling day is restricted to uncontroversial factual accounts, which is why you're seeing a lot of pets today.

Animals, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed inside polling stations, but they can be permitted at the discretion of the local authority.

Dogs are not the only voting companions to show up at the polling stations today.

So far, the BBC has seen one snake, a tortoise, horses, and what a colleague called "a ridiculous" number of dogs join their humans at polling stations.

• Follow the General Election live here

Here’s a gallery of the best pups, good boys, girls, and other creatures from across the UK:

• In pictures: Wales' dogs at polling stations
• Can I take children or pets to a polling station?
• A simple guide to the 4 July general election

2024-07-04T16:05:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd