Dogs are NOT permitted inside polling stations today, as the country heads to the ballot boxes for Northern Ireland's council elections.
The Electoral Office has confirmed that assistance dogs are allowed in with their owners, and there is no restriction on leaving pet dogs outside while votes are cast.
But a dog welfare group has warned against tying dogs up outside polling stations, and is urging owners to leave their pets at home to avoid the risk of them being stolen as a 'lucrative commodity' for criminals.
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A spokesman for Dog Welfare Reform NI, said: "On voting day we often see images of dogs waiting patiently for their owners outside polling stations and we all love to see photos of dogs.
"But dogs remain one of the most lucrative commodities for opportunistic criminals and there is nothing to stop a thief taking your dog while you are inside the polling station voting.
"Please keep your dogs safe. Leave them at home when you're voting, not outside the polling station or in the car, where they could become the next victim of crime."
And with many polling stations situated inside primary schools, the Electoral Office has said they too would prefer dog walkers to leave their pets at home before visiting the polling stations.
In the UK, guidance from the Electoral Commission states that some polling stations allow dogs inside as long as you and your dog stick to the rules.
In some polling stations, they added, dogs can enter in an "accompanying" role but aren't allowed to be "free-range" inside or to disrupt the vote.
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