Pullman dogs and owners united Saturday in Reaney Park for games and competition at the sixth annual Mutt Strutt.

Hosted by the Whitman County Humane Society and the Pooch Park at Pullman, participants could enter their dogs in a Mutt Strutt, costume competition, various games, and a number of competitions including Best Droopy Ears and Best Smile. The event also included a silent auction.

One of the biggest impacts of the event is the ability for Pullman dog owners to connect, Linda Rogers, co-chair of the event said.

“It’s good to know there are other people here with dogs, and that it is a community,” she said. “Plus, it’s just a fun opportunity for Pullman’s dog community to get together and join in on some tomfoolery.”

The Mutt Strutt benefited both the Whitman County Humane Society and the Pooch Park.

Kelly McGovern, another co-chair of the event, said the Pooch Park is privately funded, and benefits from donations and events such as the Mutt Strutt.

“This event is to do additional improvements,” McGovern said. “We currently have enough membership to do maintenance, but this allows us to get other things we need.”

She and Rogers said they are looking to purchase additional shade structures as well as more benches.

The Pooch Park is the only off-leash dog park in the area, and is situated off Pullman-Moscow Road. The park is for members only, and memberships are $60 for a year or $25 for a trimester.

“I love having the dogs having a spot to go and be off-leash, and go and socialize, and just have fun,” McGovern said.

Having a safe place for dogs to socialize is important for both the dogs and the community, Rogers said. She explained that many times when there is a dog-bite incident, it is because the animal wasn’t properly socialized.

“We want people to know about the park, and we want people to use the park,” Rogers said.

Many Pullman residents entered in the event to support the Humane Society as well.

“It benefits where we both adopted our cats, so we thought it was a good idea to come out and socialize,” Hailey Hyer, WSU senior kinesiology major, said.

Hyer entered her Dachshund-Chihuahua mix into the costume and “Best Sleek Coat” competitions. In the costume contest, the dog was dressed as a giraffe.

Pullman resident Jennifer Dickerson attended the event with her dog that she and her husband adopted from the Whitman County Humane Society.

“It’s amazing what they all do with the money — it’s amazing what the Humane Society needs,” Dickerson said.

Even something as small as being able to buy towels makes a huge impact on the animals, Dickerson said.

She said she and her husband had a wonderful experience adopting from the Humane Society, and adore their dog Tasha.

“I just love to strut her,” Dickerson said.