Town won't allow dog to run for mayor

BOWMANVILLE, Ontario, April 19 (UPI) -- A town east of Toronto refused to allow a 3-year-old Labrador retriever to register as a mayoral candidate Monday for municipal elections this fall.

Marven Whidden took Genny on a leash into the Bowmanville town hall to register her as a candidate but was flatly turned down by clerk Patti Barrie, the Toronto Star reported.

"I'm sorry. We won't be accepting nominations for a dog," Barrie said. "She's not a person."

Whidden told the newspaper he first speculated on entering Genny in the race 10 days ago on his blog, which was met with international support and encouragement.

"It's taken off in a way I never imagined in my wildest dreams," said Whidden. "My dog's done more to spark talk about the election and get people out to vote than any (public relations) firm ever could."

Whidden said he wouldn't rule out a write-in campaign for the dog.

"It sends a huge message to politicians when people say, 'I'd vote for a dog before I'd vote for you again,'" he said.