According to TechFlow, Protos reported that the NYC Dog Mayor election was recently interfered by cryptocurrency speculators, causing the popular candidate to withdraw from the race. It is reported that the holder of the meme coin named BERT used improper means to canvass votes for the dog candidate Bertram and discredit other candidates in an attempt to push up the token price.
Olivia Caputo, the owner of the dog Enzo, announced her withdrawal from the race in a long post on social media, saying that the competition has become a "catalyst for spreading hatred, negativity and threats of violence." Caputo accused BERT coin supporters of inducing votes through payments and giveaways, and hinted in group chats that this was a "pump and dump" plan.
According to its website, New York's NYC Dog Mayor contest "aims to create something fun and joyful for people during a time when many are struggling; provide a unique opportunity for community development in New York City, and present politics and civics (for once) in a positive, educational, and compelling way."
