Sheriff’s office K9 event raises more than $4,000 for Laurens County canine team

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office raised more than $4,000 for its K9 program during the agency’s annual K9 event Saturday, drawing what deputies described as record attendance for the popular working dog demonstration.

Held at Tractor Supply in Laurens, the event brought together vendors, community partners and families for a day centered on the four-legged deputies who work alongside LCSO handlers. Proceeds from ticket sales and raffle entries benefit the K9 team.

The demonstration remained the day’s main draw, with the largest crowd the event has seen. Deputies also used the occasion to introduce the agency’s bloodhounds and explain the tracking work they perform. The Laurens County Coroner’s Office joined the event and introduced its cadaver dog to attendees.

Sponsors for this year’s event included PRTC, Laurens County Water and Sewer, Airtime Inflatables, Rich’s Pawn, Mr. Curlee and Taylor Family Farms. Tractor Supply and store representative Christina have hosted the event for several years.

“These dogs work hard every day, and so do the handlers who train and care for them,” Sheriff Don Reynolds said. “When the community turns out like this, it tells our K9 team that people see the value in what they do.”

Fundraising for the K9 program continues next month. The sheriff’s office plans to sell raffle tickets at Squealin’ on the Square in downtown Laurens, giving residents who missed Saturday’s event another chance to support the program.