BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's presidential election favorite, libertarian economist Javier Milei, made an unconventional speech after he pulled off a shock first place in the country's August primaries, dedicating the triumph to his "kids with four paws."

As Argentina votes in the general election on Sunday, Milei's cloned mastiffs have become a media sensation, reflecting the quirky nature of the candidate who has shaken up election season pledging to "chainsaw" the political status quo.