After all, they let one be the PM!

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.

Ahah!! So that's why there's a bitch back in the Prime ministers seat.

The Queenstown Police boss stated on the tv news last night that the police were not doggedly pursuing the matter and had no intention of hounding either the dog or his owner over the matter .

I suspect it is just a ploy to draw attention away from the fact that we dont yet have a government...and the country has the audacitity to still function...

Did you ever have a Gov't? sxounds to me as though 'Toby' should stand for election. After all, taking your dog hunting might become compulsory!

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

What?! Dogs in NZ can't vote?!


My dog is smarter than most people I know.

Shep can though

or is that pronounced sheeep?

I should be a Kiwi, damn NBD!!!! after too much VB!

Greybeard, you should lay off that VB shit, it'll fry you brain with all the chemicals in it, and then you WILL be a kiwi! Or, at least, indistinguishable from one. For all the kiwis that means we won't be able to tell him from you lot.

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

Just be glad you dont get all the government you vote for, or all the government you pay for!!