SOUTH BEND — Howard Park in South Bend was taken over by dogs Saturday.

The event, called Bark for Life, gave dogs and their owners a chance to get out and experience a Relay for Life event.

Registered dogs sported a "Bark for Life" bandanna and walked the track until they were tired out.

"The event goes from 2 to 5 so they just do their thing. There's gonna be contests, there's gonna be the highest jumper, the loudest barker, the best trick. So there's gonna be a DJ out here playing dog-themed music so it's gonna be a lot of fun," said Patti Reinhardt, special activities chair for Relay for Life of Mishawaka and South Bend.

The Relay for Life of Mishawaka and South Bend will be held on May 18 and 19 at Mishawaka High School.

So far 81 teams have raised close to $46,000.