A Famous Town in the United States Has Been Electing Dogs to the Most Powerful Position for Over 20 Years.
Rabbit Hash is a small town located in Kentucky, USA. For a long time, the title of mayor has not belonged to a human. In total, five dog mayors have held this position, with the most recent elected official being a six-month-old French Bulldog named Wilbur.
The Unusual Town That Elects Dogs as Mayors
In 2001, tourists visiting Rabbit Hash were astonished to witness locals holding a parade in memory of Mayor Goofy.
Indeed, Goofy was the town’s first dog mayor, passing away while still in office in 2001 at the age of 16. It wasn’t until 2004 that a black Labrador named Junior took over the position after a highly publicized election that garnered significant attention across the United States.
Wilbur, the current mayor of Rabbit Hash.
When Junior passed away in 2008, a female dog named Lucy Lou became the town’s first elected “female mayor.” Lou held the position for the next eight years. The 2016 election was won by Brynneth Pawltro, a cheerful pit bull. In 2020, Pawltro ran for re-election but lost to Wilbur.
The Origin of Electing Dogs as Mayors
Previously, Rabbit Hash was a densely populated town located along the Ohio River in Boone County. Today, the town consists of only about a dozen buildings, including a 189-year-old general store. Rabbit Hash resembles an old town, with no new constructions aimed at turning it into a tourist attraction.
Rabbit Hash does not have many residents or public services to manage, no officials to elect, no city council to convene, and no police department to oversee.
As a result, the dog mayor election serves as a public fundraising activity. Each vote costs one USD, and the total amount raised is used to maintain and repair the remaining structures of the town.
In the case of Wilbur’s recent election victory, the funds raised were used to construct a levee separating the town from the Ohio River and to purchase a new awning and stairs for a barn.
Wilbur’s campaign raised nearly $50,000.
Interestingly, dog mayor elections create unexpected buzz and attraction among the public. During election time, most major media outlets in the United States report on the events, making the voting process quite lively. In fact, the dog election was even featured in a special one-hour television program on the popular science channel Animal Planet.
In 2020, no parade was held for the new mayor Wilbur due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the election still attracted attention on various media platforms and social networks. Wilbur’s owner even received interview requests from reporters in Germany, Canada, and the UK, among others.
So, what specific duties does the mayor have? Wilbur simply takes regular walks around town, poses for photos at events, and is rewarded for his efforts with delicious bones. Naturally, the cuter and more interesting the dog mayor is, the more attention it garners and the more contributions it attracts.
