5 of the nation's most accomplished animal mayors
In November 2016, a pit bull named Brynneth Pawltro (no relation) was elected mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. She beat out a cat, a chicken, and a donkey for the title.
But Pawltro's political success is nothing new. Animals have been braving -- and, in some cases, winning -- elections for years. They also die in office a lot, just like William Henry Harrison!
Now, a look back at some of the world's finest animal candidates ... and their many, many tangible political accomplishments.
1. Lucy Lou
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Surprise! Brynneth is not the only dog to hold office in Rabbit Hash. Lucy Lou, a border collie, vacated the position back in November.
Signature accomplishment: Lucy is the only dog mayor of Rabbit Hash not to die in office. Congratulations, Lucy! You got out of there at just the right time, gal.
2. Duke
Duke, a nine-year-old Great Pyrenees, has been elected the ceremonial mayor of Cormorant, Minnesota not once, not twice, but three times, which means he must be doing something right (being a good boy).
In Cormorant's election, voters pay one dollar to cast their ballots at the annual Cormorant Daze celebration, with proceeds funding projects within the township. Duke has won the past three elections in a landslide -- and unless he decides to instate term limits (unlikely, as he cannot talk), we imagine he'll be in office for a long time.
Signature accomplishment: In a feat truly unheard of in modern politics, Duke ran for mayor against his own girlfriend, Lassie. And, as far as we know, it did not damage the relationship -- proof that dog mayors can have it all.
3. Stubbs
Stubbs, a cat, has been the mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska for 15 years. According to the New York Post, he loves to drink catnip-laced water out of a wine glass.
Signature accomplishment: Stubbs has been alive for 15 years.
4. Clay Henry III
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Clay Henry III is the third goat of the same name to hold mayoral office in Lajitas, Texas. He lives at General Store and Gas, which is easy to find because it is the only business in Lajitas, Texas.
Clay Henry loves to drink Gatorade, a slight departure from the beer-drinking habits of his father and grandfather. Incidentally, his grandfather (Clay Henry I) is stuffed and on display in a nearby town, should you want to check that out on your next road trip.
Signature accomplishment: Clay Henry III murdered his father. (Headbutt.)
5. April
In 2011, April the cow won the Eastsound, Washington mayoral race in a special election benefitting the Orca Island Children's House. Cute. She was a write-in candidate, too, so she had to be extremely popular among the people.
All in all, April's term was a benevolent one -- she spent most of her days chilling on a grassy field (not golfing, strangely enough). She passed away in 2012.
Signature accomplishment: April chose not to run for reelection, but was able to peacefully transfer power to a Portuguese Water Dog. Amazing!
Well, there you have it. Brynneth's got a lot to live up to.
Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.
