Polls opened at 7am across England, Scotland and Wales on Thursday for the 2026 local and devolved elections. About 5,000 of the 16,000 local council seats are up for grabs in England, while voters in Wales and Scotland elected new devolved parliaments. Amid the political significance, a lighter tradition continued: pets at polling stations.
Canine Companions at the Ballot Box
Three dogs were spotted outside a London polling station, patiently waiting for their owners. In Trafford, Manchester, a westie stood outside a polling station, capturing the hearts of passers-by. A pointer was led away from a polling station in Caernarfon, drawing attention with its elegant stance.
In south-west London, a woman walked her dogs past a polling station at the Shree Ghanapathy temple. Meanwhile, in Glasgow, a voter gave a treat to a dog waiting outside Pollokshields Burgh Hall polling station. Another dog was seen leaving a polling station in Glasgow, perhaps after casting its metaphorical vote.
Photogenic Moments Across the UK
In London, three dogs named Ingrid, Frank, and Zizzi posed for a photographer, joining the queue in style. A dog outside a polling station in Edinburgh looked contemplative, while another accompanied its owner to vote in the Scottish capital, prompting the question: is change in the air?
Two whippets waited outside City Hall in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, while another whippet waited for its owner in Wimbledon, south-west London. A dog jumped outside a polling station in London, striking a playful pose. Flaeda the poodle, named after Aethelflaed, the eldest daughter of Alfred the Great, posed for a picture while her owner voted in London's local election.
More Furry Voters
Rory the dog stood outside St James' church hall in Inverleith, Edinburgh, directing voters with his presence. A voter arrived with their dog to cast their vote in the Holyrood election in Burrelton, Perthshire. A dog named Obi-Wan Kenobi was also seen outside a polling station in Edinburgh, adding a touch of Star Wars charm to the democratic process.
