22-dog walk may be record

KANAB — John Garcia set out to set one Guinness Book of World Record, but 22 dogs thought two would be better.

Garcia successfully guided 25 dogs for one kilometer in his attempt to set the record for most dogs walked at one time. Three of the dogs became unleashed, but the remaining 22 dogs and Garcia mushed on for a full mile for a second record attempt.

The event was documented and will be sent to Guinness officials for verification before he can actually claim the world records.

Garcia made the attempt Thursday at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, which claims to be the world's largest animal sanctuary, tucked away in the red rock canyons of southern Utah. Garcia lives in Fredonia, Ariz., and has worked at the no-kill shelter 30 miles away since 1999.

Most of the dogs Garcia walked on Thursday are available for adoption, and he said he hopes they all have new homes by the time he tries to break his own records next year.