DOG SELLS OUT OWNER AT LOCAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

In an unfathomable turn of events for the Gladstone community, local canine, Baxter the Beagle, has been spotted at more committee meetings than his owner, Dave Harper, who seemingly prefers the comfort of his couch over town discussions. Observers say Baxter's attentive gaze has become a fixture at the Dunedin Highway Committee deliberations, where he has been noted for his keen interest in road safety — a trait not shared by his owner, who often brings stale scones to the meetings, claiming it keeps his spirits up.

Reports indicate Baxter even managed to get his paw stuck in a proposal to revamp the local dog park, which the original committee chairperson congratulated as a 'paws-itively brilliant idea'. Much to Dave’s dismay, Baxter's newfound status as committee darling has left the locals wondering if they should elect him as chair for the next term.

“I thought I had the whole local government thing down, but now my dog’s got more clout than I do—you can’t let this happen in bloody Invercargill,” Dave grumbled, attempting to reclaim some control over the household and his social standing. Meanwhile, Baxter has been seen basking in his popularity, accepting treats from locals like a canine celebrity.

While the chilly Southland air continues to blow through Gladstone, it’s clear Baxter is running the show, leaving Dave to rattle off excuse after excuse. With the dog's rising fame, watchers are left wondering: will Baxter be the first dog to run a successful campaign for a seat on the local council? Time will tell, but if he keeps this up, he may just set a precedent for future four-legged politicians.