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Dogs at polling stations: Election day pooches return for 2019 (with festive twist)

They’re now a fully established voting day tradition - and ‘dogs at polling stations’ returned once again for the 2019 general election.

The #dogsatpollingstations hashtag has been prominent at recent elections, and it was popular once again this year, albeit with a festive twist.

Dog owners added decorations and lights to their patient pooches, which were then posted across social media on Thursday.

Even party leaders and MPs are getting involved in the trend this time, with Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan among those being accompanied by their canine pals.

Pete Way put a string of Christmas lights on his dog, Buster, when he went to cast his vote in Wantage, Oxfordshire.

And Esyllt Sears’ dog, Twm, sported a Christmas tree hat as he turned up to a polling station in the Vale of Glamorgan.

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Ms Sears told the PA news agency: “He hates dressing up, and the rain, and waiting for me to vote, and I think his face in this photo reflects how many of us feel this morning … having to think about politics when all we really want to do is stay indoors and eat mince pies.”

Boris Johnson took pet dog Dilyn with him when he cast his vote at Methodist Central Hall in the Cities of London and Westminster constituency.

And London Mayor Sadiq Khan had his dog, Luna, in tow as he turned up to vote.

In a video posted to Twitter he said: “My name is Sadiq Khan, I’m the Mayor of London. I’m here with Luna, we’re voting – make sure you do.”

There was a strong canine turnout in Dulwich Village in south-east London, where a picture posted to Twitter by Kate Turner showed eight dogs waiting outside one polling station.

For those without dogs, there was an attempt to get other animals involved.

Liberal Democrat candidate Ed Davey tweeted: “Sadly no #dogsatpollingstations from me, but my family wanted Carrot the Guinea Pig to be involved… #GE2019”