12 Animals That Ran for Political Office [WOOF]

Tuning into the political dogfight playing out between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney might have you wishing a muzzle could put an end to the verbal scrapping. Unfortunately, with less than a month left until the election, not even a rabies shot could quiet down the race. That's not the case in every election though.

Dogs -- and cats, chimpanzees and beer-drinking goats -- have tossed their leashes into the politics ring. While the White House still hasn't gone to the dogs, so to speak, animals have nabbed high-ranking positions in city governments and made runs for Congress.

We offer a mental break from the presidential race with profiles of 12 animals that had political ambitions. Take a flip through the gallery above for our favorite partisan puppies and constitutional kitties.