POST FALLS - At the Leashes and Laces 5K Fun Run/Walk, 2-year-old Doberman pinscher Brutus went incognito as Batman, complete with a super hero cape and mask.

"That was my wife's idea," said Coeur d'Alene Police Detective Bryan Alexander. "He wasn't too fond of it when we put them on when we first got them, but he seemed to loosen up about them."

Brutus happily loped across the finish line at the Greyhound Park and Event Center on Sunday with Alexander at the other end of the leash. The annual Leashes and Laces event raises funds for the Post Falls Police Department K9 Unit and serves as an opportunity for community members to socialize their canines.

"It was good," he said. "He's still young so we're trying to get him introduced to other dogs and other people, so this is always a great event to do that."

Event creator and PFPD Officer Brenda Smith said the event usually draws more than 150 people but other events in the region may be why the number of participants was about 70. The heat also could have been a factor.

"It was a bit warm for the dogs, unfortunately, it seemed, but it turned out good," she said.

This was the fourth year for the event, which included the fun run, vendors of dog-friendly products, a best-dressed dog contest and a K-9 Unit demonstration with PFPD personnel and Koda, one of PFPD's two police dogs.

"He's not a vicious dog, he's just trained to hold onto bad guys," said Sergeant Mark Brantl, who announced the demonstration and answered questions from crowd members.

Josi Thyr of Cataldo ran the course with her 4-year-old rough collie Handsome. She said it was really fun to run with all the dogs.

"All the other running races that you can do, you can't have your dog," she said. "It's good because I run with him all the time at home. It's fun to actually get to take him somewhere because he likes that."

Local athlete Kjell Schioberg stood near the finish line with his sister, Sinje, and 6-year-old border collie-Lab mix Indiana Jones. Kjell's wife Blake was still on the course.

"It's always nice if you can do something with your dog," he said. "Last weekend (the Coeur d'Alene Marathon) is all about the racing. This is not. You're doing something for a good cause and having fun with the dog and the family."

All of the proceeds from the event benefit the PFPD K-9 Unit. In the four years it has occurred, Smith said all canine companions have behaved and everyone has had a nice time.

"I think the most amazing thing about this race is how many dogs that show up," she said. "Almost every person that participates brings a dog, which is really unique to this event."