PLACE RIEL — A Facebook poll, active since Sept. 21, has Howler the Huskie — the University of Saskatchewan’s official mascot — slated to be a frontrunner in the upcoming race to become president of the U of S Students’ Union.

Though the USSU’s call for nominations did not occur until Sept. 24 and candidates will not be announced until Oct. 15, students and alumni alike have offered plenty of support for the mascot online. Hashtags such as #prodigalpooch, #VoteHowler, #dogmypresident and #furryfury have emerged on multiple platforms — though it’s hard to say whether the latter is related to Howler’s potential bid for president or simply the mascot’s physical appeal.

Supporters might be barking up the wrong tree, however. Earlier this year, the Sheaf confirmed reports that Howler is, in fact, a man raised by wolves and employed by the university full-time. While the former does not necessarily disqualify him from the executive race, the latter would render his nomination impermissible under USSU by-law.

Howler could not be reached for comment. It has been speculated that he still does not fully understand human forms of communication.