LaGRANGE — LaGrange was falling further behind sixth-place usurper Merrimack, New Hampshire, in the Bark for Your Park contest with more than 100 votes separating the two cities Friday afternoon.

The city is competing for a $100,000 private grant from pet product manufacturer PetSafe. The grant is earmarked specifically to fund a dog park in the winning community. Long-term plans for LaGrange call for an expansion of Granger Park to add a dog park.

Visit http://www.petsafe.net/ barkforyourpark/city/ 2767/lagrange-ga/ to vote. Find LaGrange’s campaign on Facebook by searching “Bark for Your Park – LaGrange, GA” or using #barklagrangega. Votes may be cast twice per day, per voter. Voting ends July 22.

Vote count as of 5 p.m. Friday:

1. Jacksonville, Ill. — 31,356

2. Watkinsville, Ga. — 21,699

3. Moore, Okla. — 15,462

4. Epworth, Iowa — 14,471

5. Fort Gratiot, Mich. — 12,926

6. Merrimack, N.H. — 10,158

7. LaGrange, Ga. — 10,043

8. Vacaville, Calif. — 8,137

9. Barstow, Calif. — 7,758

10. West Winfield, N.Y. — 7,447

11. Portland, Texas — 7,097

12. Winslow, Ariz. — 6,966

13. Bryant, Ark. — 5,787

14. Willmar, Minn. — 5,461

15. Oswego, Ill. — 4,676