The super PAC thing has gotten so out of hand that influence peddlers are now viciously attacking other species. An unsettling turn of events could make a four-legged fighter’s campaign to claim Virginia’s soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat no walk in the park.

It was just a few short weeks ago that “Hank,” the frisky feline from Fairfax County announced his intention to replace retiring Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.). Links to the fluff-filled campaign site flooded reporters’ inboxes. Local newscasts ate it up.

Faster than you can say “swift boat,” the attacks ads started coming.

The Canines for a Feline Free Tomorrow super PAC began planting seeds of doubt in this opening salvo: