A mainstay in West Virginia politics and celebrity hound Babydog Justice may not accompany Senator-elect Jim Justice on the floor where the legislative body votes, according to reporting from Axios.

After reports that Senator-elect Jim Justice's (R-WV) frequent companion Babydog would not be allowed on the Senate floor, Justice has released a statement, saying the comments about his bulldog were made "in jest.

Babydog has served as an unofficial mascot for the state over the past few years, appearing at Justice’s side during press conferences, public appearances, and even during the State of the State address when he showed off Babydog’s asshole in a message to Bette Midler.