Dogs, cats and a COW are taken to polling stations across the UK as polls open for local elections

The dogs of Britain were out in full force as their owners queued to cast their votes in the local elections today.

Polling stations up and down the country opened up their doors at 7am this morning, with faithful pups making a quick stop-off with their owners during their morning walks to let them pick their next local leader. 

The hashtag #dogsatpollingstations has started trending once again on Twitter, with dog owners sharing snaps of their pets in front of the black and white polling station sign.

Many of the buildings hosting the votes today do not allow dogs to be brought inside, so users on Twitter shared their pups waiting outside diligently on what has been dubbed ‘Super Thursday’.

Boris Johnson also got in on the action as he brought beloved dog Dilyn to his nearby polling station at 7.40am on Thursday morning. 

The Prime Minister appeared to be in good spirits as he appeared at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster to cast his vote in the local elections.

He was smiling and wished reporters a good morning, but was otherwise tight-lipped about an election in which the Conservatives are predicted to lose hundreds of council seats. 

Mr Johnson was not with his wife Carrie.

The polling stations are open until 10pm today, with millions of Britons expected to vote in a day full of glorious sunshine ahead of a heatwave next week.

The dogs of Britain are out in full force as their owners queued to cast their votes in the local elections today

Polling stations up and down the country opened up their doors at 7am this morning, with many faithful pups making a quick stop-off with their owners during their morning walks to let them pick their next local leader. Toffee, pictured, a Dachshund Yorkshire Terrier cross, cast his vote in Wood Green

The hashtag #dogsatpollingstations has started trending once again on Twitter, with dog owners sharing snaps of their pets in front of the black and white polling station sign

Boris Johnson also got in on the dog action as he brought beloved dog Dilyn to his nearby polling station at 7.40am on Thursday morning

Many of the buildings hosting the votes today do not allow dogs to be brought inside, so many users on Twitter have shared their pups waiting outside diligently on what has been dubbed as ‘Super Thursday’

It wasn’t just dogs at the polling station for Harrogate Borough Council, who shared a picture of a cow chomping on some grass next to the centre

The dogs were not the only animals to make their way to the local election voting booths today, with a few people spotting cats wandering in

The weather could make a difference on the outcome of the local elections – a Commons report on the impact of the weather on the December 2019 General Election found that turnout compared to 2017, during the summer, had dropped due to rain and less daylight.

With an expected high of 21C (70F) today, many parts of the country are to bask in some of the hottest conditions of the year so far.

Animal welfare charity Blue Cross have also issued some advice to dog owners on local election day, warning that leaving their dogs tied up outside the polling station can make them a tempting target for thieves.

‘We’d also advise people not to leave their dogs in their car – especially with today’s temperatures due to be high as this could pose a risk to their pet’s health,’ a spokesperson told MailOnline today.

Some polling stations allow dogs inside as long as you and your dog abide by their rules. According to guidance from the Electoral Commission, dogs can enter polling stations in an ‘accompanying’ role, but they are not allowed to be ‘free-range’ inside or to disrupt the vote.

Anticipating various other animals to make their way over to the polling stations today, Blue Cross have said that horses and ponies should be tethered up outside.

No other guidance has been issued by the Electoral Commission on any other animals, so they say it’s best to ask the presiding officers should you wish to bring your cat or other pet along with you.

 Conservatives are to find out in the coming days whether or not the Partygate saga in Downing Street will have had an impact on Tory voters.

At the same time, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is batting off calls for Durham Constabulary to investigate Beergate claims after he was spotted breaking Covid restrictions during the 2021 Hartlepool by-elections.

The Prime Minister appeared to be in good spirits as he appeared at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster to cast his vote in the local elections

He was smiling and wished reporters a good morning, but was otherwise tight-lipped about an election in which the Conservatives are predicted to lose hundreds of council seats

Mr Johnson was not with his wife Carrie but instead accompanied by his dog Dilyn at the Westminster polling station

But to start the day of voting off, dogs have been pictured basking in the sunshine outside their local polling stations as forecasters predict temperatures to rise this weekend.

They will peak at 25C (77F) or 26C (79F) in the South in the latter half of next week – and the barbecue weather should continue into the following weekend, with the North experiencing temperatures in the low-20s.

Many parts of the country will bask in the hottest conditions of the year so far – MeteoGroup forecaster Donal Considine said a surge of warm air would be drawn up from the south as a result of high pressure hovering over central Europe.

Mary Clarkson shared a picture of her dog Erik and wrote: ‘Erik’s first time at a Polling Station and very enthusiastic about Oxford City elections.’

Nik Sunil Williams said of his pup: ‘Luna is a seasoned pro when it comes to elections. PS she tells you all to vote in her own inimitable fashion.’

Many dog owners said their pups were up early to cast their votes to encourage others to do the same, with Bristol Cathedral tweeting a picture of Patrick, one of their ‘Cathedral dogs’: ‘Patrick has been out to vote. If there are local elections in your area today, remember to get out and exercise your right to vote.’

Megan Clarke shared a picture of her dog Morris, giving a strong indication for who she was voting for today: ‘Morris was up bright and early ready to vote! Treats for the many not the few!’

Geoff Baines posted a snap of Max, a dachshund, in the bottom of a buggy: ‘Max’s first trip to the polls with ‘big’ brother Cedric.’

It wasn’t just dogs at the polling station for Harrogate Borough Council, who shared a picture of a cow chomping on some grass next to the centre. 

Pug Jack Russell cross Melo posed for his obligatory picture outside his local polling station in Wood Green, London

Mary Clarkson shared a picture of her dog Erik and wrote: ‘Erik’s first time at a Polling Station and very enthusiastic about Oxford City elections’ at 8.30 this morning

David Herdsone from Crigglestone, Wakefield, shared a snap of his labrador who thought it was far too early for the walk this morning when its owner stopped off to vote

This curly-haired pup called Luna was pictured by her owner Nik Sunil Williams, who said: ‘Luna is a seasoned pro when it comes to elections. PS she tells you all to vote in her own inimitable fashion’

Many dog owners said their pups were up early to cast their votes to encourage others to do the same, with Alex Hancock sharing his pup Jasper Bear excitedly pose next to the sign

Bristol Cathedral tweeted a picture of Patrick, one of their ‘Cathedral dogs’: ‘Patrick has been out to vote. If there are local elections in your area today, remember to get out and exercise your right to vote’

The first results for the votes cast today are expected just after midnight on Friday morning, and Tory supporters are likely to anxiously be watching out for results in true-blue London local authorities such as Wandsworth, which has been under Conservative control for the past 44 years.

Pollsters YouGov believe that Westminster and Barnet could see Labour cause an upset. 

More than 4,000 councillors in 146 councils in England will be standing for election in major cities including Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and all 32 London boroughs. All 32 councils in Scotland and all 22 in Wales will also be holding elections, with polls open between 7am and 10pm.

In Northern Ireland, tensions were high ahead of Stormont elections where voters will go to the polls across 18 constituencies to elect 90 MLAs. Opinion polls have suggested Sinn Fein is likely to top the poll, and the Alliance Party is tipped to have a surge in support.

The dogs were not the only animals to make their way to the local election voting booths today, with a few people spotting cats wandering in.

One man said ‘When your cat follows you to the booths’, and another ‘Cat’ account wrote alongside a picture of a cat laying on the chairs at a church’s pop-up polling station: ‘Today I am in charge’, it said.

This fluffy white dog Belle posed on some grass outside her local polling station in Wales this morning

One man said ‘When your cat follows you to the booths’, and another ‘Cat’ account wrote alongside a picture of a cat laying on the chairs at a church’s pop-up polling station: ‘Today I am in charge’, it said

Sir Keir used his election rallying call to highlight the ‘constant drip-drip of sleaze and scandal’ in Mr Johnson’s administration.

As well as Partygate, the Tories have been hit with a string of controversies, including former Wakefield MP Imran Nasir Ahmad Khan being found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage boy and veteran MP Neil Parish quitting after admitting he watched pornography in the Commons.

Sir Keir said the Government had broken the Covid regulations they had put in place ‘over and over again’ and said the Tory ‘failure’ to tackle the cost of living crisis had been a ‘disgrace’, along with the Chancellor’s decision to hike national insurance last month.

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said voters have a chance to ‘send Boris Johnson a message he can’t ignore’.

Animals have stood as candidates in elections, with Catmando the cat joint-leading the Official Monster Raving Loony Party in a three-year-reign which ended in 2002 after he died in a car accident.

In the US last year a nine-year-old Pyrenean Mountain Dog named Duke was re-elected as mayor of the town of Cormorant in Minnesota, US. He is now serving his third term in the position.

A pig called Giggles was named as candidate in the 2015 mayoral elections for Flint, Michigan, but failed to get voted in.