Dog Registers to Vote!!

[elizabethann]

Dog registers to vote in New Zealand
September 22, 2005

WELLINGTON, New Zealand --It was almost inevitable New Zealand's election would turn into a dog fight when you look at one of the country's 2.83 million voters -- Toby the Jack Russell terrier.

Toby became a registered voter when his owner, Peter Rhodes of Queenstown, completed an enrollment form in the dog's name, giving his occupation as "rodent exterminator" and his age as 28.

He signed the form with a squiggle and Toby's paw print before returning it to the Electoral Enrollment Center, the Otago Daily Times reported.

Rhodes, an aviation safety specialist who said he was making a humorous point about local government bureaucracy, was shocked to receive written confirmation of Toby's enrollment in the Otago electorate on New Zealand's South Island.

Voting is not compulsory in New Zealand and Rhodes said Toby had elected not to vote.

"The only roll he's interested in is a dog roll, not the electoral roll," Rhodes told the paper.

Electoral Enrollment Center manager Murray Wicks was more angry than amused that an application filed by a dog had slipped through the center's checking system.

"It's an offense, and whoever's done it will be in the hands of the police," he said.

Wicks said Rhodes could be charged with misleading a registrar of electors, making a fraudulent enrollment and making a false declaration, "to name a few" possible charges.

The outcome of the election remained in the balance Friday. The ruling Labour Party holds a one-seat, election-night majority over the opposition National Party pending coalition talks and the counting of absentee ballots, but neither of the major parties has an outright majority.

[Jessika]

I'm sorry but dogs can't think THAT independantly for themselves enough to vote lol

Thats funny though, I like that guy!

[lvpets2002]

Thats all too funny & I am sure no one would notice four legs at the voters table..

[DJFyrewolf36]

I hope the guy doesn't get charged with anything criminal. Sigh, no one can take a joke anymore

[carole]

Well yes he was an old guy who did this to show the loopholes in the system, I mean this is an important election, it decides the government for the next three years, we are still waiting two weeks later to find out who our government is going to be, I am hoping my lot will get in again, and its looking promising. A labour party supporter all the way I am.

I don't think the police should waste their time prosecuting this guy, he made a valid point, just goes to show dogs are really smart in NZ, he he.

[Scooby4]

My Brother's Dog Buster got a credit card!!! My brother filled out one of those offers that comes in the mail as a "joke". He put his dog's name down and it was accepted! He had better credit than many people I know!
(It made our local paper years ago)

[Jessika]

Originally posted by Scooby4
My Brother's Dog Buster got a credit card!!! My brother filled out one of those offers that comes in the mail as a "joke". He put his dog's name down and it was accepted! He had better credit than many people I know!
(It made our local paper years ago)

Well shoot I should try that sometime, considering I can't even GET a credit card

I don't have bad credit either, I never had a chance to GET credit because I'm always declined!