Easley's Responsible Dog Ownership Day is Today

There’s lots to do for both four-legged friends and their two-legged owners today at Easley’s First Annual Responsible Dog Ownership Day.

The event, held at the dog park at Hagood Park, kicks off at 9am and will run until 2pm.

Organizers say they want the event to promote both Easley's dog park and responsible pet ownership.

Sept. 22 is the American Kennel Club's National Responsible Dog Ownership Day. More than 700 events are planned nationwide.

A number of different rescue groups will have booths at the Easley event, sharing information on how they help four-legged friends.

The Puppy Nanny, Sue Conklin, and trainer Maria Kane of Pickens will both be at the event.

Conklin will be administering the Canine Good Citizen Test, which is open to anybody, Floyd said.

The Pickens Animal Hospital will be holding a microchip clinic.

“Dr. Chris Burton is going to be there to discuss pet first aid and heat stroke,” Floyd said. “That's a very good topic to cover.”

Responsible Dog Owner Day will also have a silent auction and a raffle, that will raise money to help improve the Dog Park at Hagood Park.

Raffle tickets are $1 each.

The Clemson Kennel Club will be bringing some of their show dogs to Easley for the day.

The Easley Police Department will be demonstrating vehicle searches with their K-9 officer Tony.

Dog owners will be able to trade in choke collars and other harmful collars for new pet-friendly ones at no charge.

The schedule of events is as follows:

8:00 am Setup

9:00 Welcome & Kickoff of RDOD Easley 2012

9:30 Schutzhund Demo (large yard)

10:00 Mayor Larry Bagwell – Declaration of RDOD Easley

Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting (Dog Park gate)

10:30 Obedience/Rally Demo w/ Sue Conklin (large yard)

11:00 City of Easley Police Dept. K-9 Demo (vehicle drug search)

Meet & Greet Easley K-9 & Pickens County K-9

12:00 Easley Progress / Lonnie Adamson - Editor

Essay Winners Announced Mainstage

Obedience/Rally Demo w/Sue Conklin (large yard)

Parade & Meet the Breed – Clemson Kennel Club Booth & Ring

1:00 Canine Good Citizen Testing – Sue Conklin (small yard)

1:30 Schutzhund Demo (large yard)

2:00 End of Event

In addition to the vendors and events named above, Responsible Dog Ownership Day will also feature: Barnyard Goodies, Trophies Unlimited, The Starving Artist Café, Nature’s Select, Powdersville Insurance Agency, Ask the Groomer!!!, Premium Sharpening, Sharon Brown Russell, Foothills Humane Society, Crafts for Critters/ARF and more.

Hagood Park is located at 110 Old Liberty Highw