Dogs are NOT allowed inside ballot stations today, as the nation heads to the tally boxes for Northern Ireland’s council elections.
The Electoral Office has actually validated that assistance dogs are allowed with their owners, and there is no limitation on leaving animal dogs outside while votes are cast.
But a dog well-being group has actually alerted versus connecting dogs up outdoors ballot stations, and is advising owners to leave their animals at home to prevent the threat of them being taken as a ‘rewarding product’ for bad guys.
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A representative for Dog Welfare Reform NI, said: “On ballot day we frequently see pictures of dogs waiting patiently for their owners outside ballot stations and all of us like to see pictures of dogs.
“But dogs stay among the most rewarding products for opportunistic bad guys and there is absolutely nothing to stop a burglar taking your dog while you are inside the ballot station ballot.
“Please keep your dogs safe. Leave them at home when you’re voting, not outside the ballot station or in the car, where they might end up being the next victim of criminal offense.”
And with lots of ballot stations positioned inside main schools, the Electoral Office has actually said they too would choose dog walkers to leave their animals at home prior to going to the ballot stations.
In the UK, assistance from the Electoral Commission mentions that some ballot stations enable dogs inside as long as you and your dog stay with the guidelines.
In some ballot stations, they included, dogs can go into in an “accompanying” function however aren’t permitted to be “free-range” inside or to interrupt the vote.
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