‘Paddy & Murphy in rural Wiltshire’. Image: @plaindweller.

Dogs may not be able to vote for the next government in the General Election but they are allowed to come and watch, as long as they don’t cause any disruptions.

Today thousands of them turned up to support their vote-casting owners, and the hashtag #DogsAtPollingStations was soon trending on Twitter.

We bet he’s voting for the Pedigreen Party… #DogsAtPollingStations pic.twitter.com/LQY0a94F5y

— Ladbrokes Bingo (@LadbrokesBingo) May 7, 2015

#dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/dgIlegzXed — Design Hunter (@designhunter_uk) May 7, 2015

Can’t believe I’ve only just become aware of #DogsAtPollingStations. What a hashtag. RT @vickyturnerr pic.twitter.com/UzF06DmxZF

— Jon Brady (@jonbradyphoto) May 7, 2015

Office puppy Poppy for #DogsAtPollingStations – be the voice of the voiceless!🐾 #vote #GE2015 #votingmatters pic.twitter.com/FSISiT2Zs3 — Dogs Today (@Dogs_Today) May 7, 2015

@innocent #DogsAtPollingStations pic.twitter.com/ZfXy1llgC1

— Lisa Davidson (@lisajdavidson1) May 7, 2015

Dogs weren’t the only creatures taking an interest in the democratic process.

Quite a big dog, this. Not sure of the breed. #DogsAtPollingStations pic.twitter.com/awptuxq1R8 — innocent drinks (@innocent) May 7, 2015

Why have #DogsAtPollingStations when you can have lambs? Do you think she spoiled the baaaaallot? pic.twitter.com/LJmXcW1zYZ

— webuyanycar.com (@webuyanycar) May 7, 2015

Inspired by #DogsAtPollingStations I’m off to vote. The ferret has chosen who I vote for by choice of toy. pic.twitter.com/Z2ZjNqwGL6 — Will Black (@WillBlackWriter) May 7, 2015

@innocent The duck community got fed up of dogs stealing the limelight today #DogsAtPollingStations pic.twitter.com/Dm3xGsYyzf

— Allgood (@Allgood_plc) May 7, 2015