Bruce's Video Closet

🐾 Dog as Mayor (And It Worked Out Ok)

If you think politics has gone to the dogs… well, in one Kentucky town, that’s exactly the point.

Welcome to Rabbit Hash, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it river town with fewer than 500 residents — and one of America’s most paw-litically active communities. For more than two decades, the town’s mayors have all had four legs, wet noses, and tails that wag instead of wave.

How It All Began 🗳️

The year was 1998, and Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, needed a little fundraising for its historic general store. Since the town is unincorporated, there’s no real city government. So the Rabbit Hash Historical Society came up with a playful idea:

“Let’s hold a mayoral election — and let any species run.”

Each vote cost $1, with proceeds going toward historic preservation. Locals and curious outsiders alike mailed in dollar bills and cast their ballots. When the votes were counted, Goofy Borneman-Calhoun, a lovable mixed-breed dog, became the first canine mayor in U.S. history.

And thus, a quirky tradition was born.

The Dog Mayors of Rabbit Hash 🐶

After Goofy’s passing in 2001, the townsfolk didn’t want to give up the fun. They held more elections, and more dogs took office:

Junior Cochran, a black Labrador, kept things orderly from 2004 to 2008.
Lucy Lou, a fiery Border Collie, made history as the first female dog mayor. She even appeared on The Today Show and in People magazine!
Brynneth “Brynn” Pawltro, a sweet pit bull, took the reins in 2016.
And in 2020, a French bulldog named Wilbur Beast barked his way into office with over 13,000 votes from around the world — the biggest turnout yet.

As Wilbur’s owner, Amy Noland, told WDRB News:

“It’s really about unity, about bringing people together. We could all use a little Wilbur energy right now.”

How the Election Actually Works 🐾💰

Rabbit Hash’s elections aren’t just for laughs — they’re a fundraising powerhouse.

Each vote costs $1 (people can buy as many as they like).
All proceeds go to the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, which maintains the 19th-century General Store and local preservation projects.
Past elections have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the town.

The mayor doesn’t sign bills or hold council meetings — but they do make public appearances, pose for photos with tourists, and proudly represent their quirky Kentucky home.

Why It Worked Out Just Fine ❤️

In an era of political tension, Rabbit Hash found a way to make democracy fun again. Electing a dog didn’t cause chaos — it brought community spirit, tourism, and national attention.

It also put Rabbit Hash on the map. People from every state (and several countries) have voted, visited, or donated to the town just because of its tail-wagging leadership.

As one local volunteer put it:

“People smile when they hear about the dog mayor. And if we can make people smile, that’s a win for us.”

Beyond Rabbit Hash: Other Animal Leaders 🦆🐐

Rabbit Hash isn’t alone! Other U.S. towns have followed the fur-covered leader:

Talkeetna, Alaska once had a cat named Stubbs as honorary mayor for 20 years.
Fair Haven, Vermont elected a goat named Lincoln in 2019.
Idyllwild, California’s mayor is a golden retriever named Max III — yes, the third generation in office.

Seems like the animals might be doing politics better than humans.

Final Thoughts 🐕🇺🇸

Rabbit Hash may be small, but its sense of humor and heart are huge. Electing a dog as mayor turned a fundraising stunt into a decades-long tradition that unites a community — and delights the world.

So the next time someone says politics has gone to the dogs, just smile and say: