Genny’s in dogged pursuit of job as canine councillor

Clarington’s local politicians are doing such a lousy job of running the municipality, a dog could do better. That’s what resident Marven Whidden thinks, and he’s going to put some bite where his bark is by trotting his black lab Genny down to town hall in Bowmanville and signing her up to run for council in the October election.

"She has papers and once I get her dog tag from the town it will prove her address," says Whidden, who’s waiting to get at least 100 "go for its" on his blog before registering her as a candidate.

It shouldn’t take long. The idea has already unleashed a torrent of support from people who are fed up with their politicians "and are seriously considering replacing them with a dog," says Whidden, who doesn’t think there’s any law that says candidates must have two legs.

They must be at least 18 but the 3-year-old pooch has that covered in human years, he says.

Genny wouldn’t be the first critter to run for office. In a highly contested mayoralty race in the tiny community of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky two years ago, 10 dogs, one cat, an opossum, jackass, and human being all vied for top job. Voter turnout hit 215 per cent, giving Border collie Lucy Lou a runaway victory.