Dog registers to vote

A New Zealand man succeeded in registering his pet dog to vote in the country's general election.

Peter Rhodes sent his Jack Russell terrier Toby's application form to the election authorities signed with a paw print.

And he gave the dog's occupation as rodent exterminator.

The animal was duly registered as Toby Russell Rhodes in the Otago constituency and sent a voter's card but did not try to vote in the polls.

Mr Rhodes, of Queenstown, said he was protesting over 'bureaucratic nonsense' he had encountered while trying to divide his land for development.

Electoral Enrolment Centre national manager Murray Wicks told the Otago Daily Times: "It's an offence, and whoever's done it will be in the hands of the police."

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