Kentucky town's dog mayor wins rave approvals

(UPI) A Kentucky town's new mayor, swept into office in a landslide election, is proving popular with her "peace, love and understanding platform" -- and she's a dog.

Brynneth Pawltro, known to residents of Rabbit Hash as Brynn, was elected the unincorporated town's fourth consecutive canine mayor in January after defeating contenders including a donkey and a cat.

Brynn won by 3,300 votes in the election, which involved residents paying $1 per vote. Residents were allowed to vote as many times as they wanted and the funds went toward restoring the town's general store.

The 3-year-old rescue replaces former mayor Lucy Lou, who retired from office to focus her attentions on a campaign for the presidency.

Brynn, a pit bull, ran for office on a platform of "peace, love and understanding."

"Brynn has declared to be peaceful with any human or animal that comes through Rabbit Hash, especially the cats. Brynn does like to chase the cats around here, but has pledged to refrain from it as much as possible," Jordie Bamforth, Brynn's owner, told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The dog mayor has proven popular since her inauguration in January, amassing thousands of followers on her Facebook page.

"The past six months have been a whirlwind of excitement!" Brynn's handlers told the Louisville Courier-Journal on her behalf in a message from her official Facebook page. The General Store re-opened April 1st, and Rabbit Hash is thriving more than ever before. I am so honored to be a part of such an important part of my town's history. Being mayor is all things any dog could imagine, I get to lick the locals, greet the visitors and take long naps down by the river when I'm in town!

Bobbi Kayser, who is on the board of directors for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society in Kentucky, said meetings with Brynn are different than with mayors of other towns.

"There's always inappropriate licking going on," Kayser told WDRB-TV.