Top dog! Family pet elected as town mayor

London : A golden retriever has become a town’s very first elected mayor. Maximus Mighty Dog Mueller II, but more commonly known as Mayor Max, is the mayor of the picturesque mountainside town of Idyllwild, California. The dog’s duties include cruising around in a personalised pickup truck, making public appearances, ribbon cuttings and doing commands for treats.  

Idyllwild is a non-incorporated town so it has no human mayor. But the Animal Rescue Friends (RAF) decided to sponsor its first ever election. The town held their an animal election in 2012, where 14 cats and 2 dogs ran for the place of mayor. Mayor Max senior, who has since passed away, won a landslide victory and was elected with two thirds of the constituents vote.

Phyllis Mueller, Mayor Max’s Chief of Staff told ABC: ‘Six years ago, Idyllwild decided to elect its first mayor.  ‘You had to be a local resident, but you couldn’t run yourself, you could run your pet.’ New mayor Max has also been joined by Deputy Mayor Mikey, and Deputy Mayor Mitzi, who are all related.

The dynamic trio, who are the most popular canines in the the town, are referred to as ‘the Mayors of Idyllwild.’ Recent important duties for Mayor Max included supporting the towns local businesses after wildfires damaged property. Mr Mueller said: ‘His role is to make the world a better place by conveying unconditional love and doing as many good deeds for others.’