A first for MySweetCharity tonight! As much as the entire staff loves watching fundraising for Dallas nonprofits, we had to walk an event tonight. Too bad because it was a stellar occasion with VIP’s (County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, County Commissioner Elba Garcia, KDFW’s Clarice Tinsley and a ton of legal types), 600 gents and ladies and over-the-top hoop-la including Cyndi Lauper doing the entertaining. And to add the cherry on the top of this delicious event, it benefited Children’s Medical Center.
So, why did MSC pull out? No, it wasn’t past our bedtime. An illegal act was on the program. Three adorable puppies (a teacup Maltese, Yorkie and Malti-poo) were to be auctioned off. In the city of Dallas that’s been against the law (Dallas City Ordinance Sec. 7-7.6) since 2008. One of the cute gals displaying a pup said, “Poor little thing is shaking badly.”
One non-pet owner was overheard to say, “Those puppies shouldn’t be here. They’re making me feel uncomfortable.”
It’s happened before and will probably happen again unless animal advocates, nonprofit benefactors and law enforcement do more than issue a letter. One group that recently auctioned off a puppy quipped, “Let ’em send a letter or even fine us. We made more money off the sale of the dog than the fine.”
Suggestion: If an animal is auctioned for a charity, let’s not only have the money returned to the bidder. Let’s fine the nonprofit a similar amount. Otherwise, remove the law that is not enforceable.
In the meantime, MySweetCharity will opt out when it comes to events or news that bodes of a naughty nature.
yvonne says
I would assume that most don’t know there is an ordinance.. as i have been to events when they have been auctioned off.. was not at this one but it’s interesting Lupe Valdez was there.. granted I bet no one knows all the laws.. but we all learn from others mistakes.. so NOTE to SELF: Do not auction off doggies (with doggie present)
Or can they they be auctioned at all? good question .. anyone know that..
Rawlins Gilliland says
There were two dogs auctioned at the Anatole last year at the Kidney Texas luncheon I attended. I had to leave, it made me so squeamish, although I told myself that with any luck people were going to love the dog the ‘won’ but to me it was painful….and as you point out, if not then…now….it is not legal.
Jeanne Prejean says
@Yvonne: Blame those of us in the media for not getting the word out. That’s why the post went up.
According to the ordinance, “A person commits an offense if he sells, exchanges, raffles, auctions, or gives away or offers to sell, exchange, raffle, auction, or give away any live animal as:
(1) a prize;
(2) an inducement to enter a place of amusement or a business establishment; or
(3) an inducement to participate in a charitable fund-raising event. (Ord. 27250)”
Jonnie England says
Jeanne, thanks for taking a stand on this! I hope and pray others will follow your lead. Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law. Not only is it legally wrong, it’s morally and ethically wrong to auction (sell) a living being. Shame, shame on Children’s Medical Center and the sponsors, Friedman & Feiger law firm, for allowing this!
TG says
Who was the organizer? It would be good to have contact information.
Jeanne Prejean says
@TG: http://listings.dfw.com/dallas-tx/events/show/227874184-friedman-feiger-foundations-kids-just-wanna-have-fun-gala-featuring-cyndi-lauper-benefitting-childrens-medical-center
TG says
So that would be Janelle Friedman at 972-788-1400.
Thanks for your excellent work, as always.
Jeanne Prejean says
Let me add that I sincerely believe the organizers had only the best of intentions and didn’t realize the auction was illegal. They worked very hard to raise funds for a very good cause.
My hope is that they are people of influence and will correct the situation by becoming advocates in getting the word out.
Jonnie England says
I agree, Jeanne. But still, they were auctioning (selling) babies to raise money for other babies. Regardless of whether it’s legal or not, it’s just morally wrong. But then, I think puppy mill breeders are morally wrong and morally corrupt. They can still raise lots of money off non-living auction items.
You’re also right that everyone who cares about this needs to try to educate charities, venues (like the Fairmont Hotel; they need to know they supported an illegal act), event planners and others. Private schools have been guilty of this, too, since the law was passed in June 2008. We need to educate the educators as well. And try to impress upon the general public that it’s just WRONG.
Andrea Allen says
And let me also add this: Many animal shelters and rescue organizations will donate gift certificates, which generous donors can pair with designer accessories, leashes, toys, collars, beds etc. Saving a life is always in style!
TNM says
A few years ago a thoroughbred horse was auctioned off at the Hilton Anatole for the “Bone Bash” and another charity later that year as well. We never heard anything about it in the press or elsewhere. I guess the horses weren’t cute and shaking. Perhaps that was before 2008 when the ordinance took effect.
Alva @Pawsitively Texas says
Elba Garcia is a County Commissioner and attended an event that broke the law?! Surely she can not plead ignorance at not knowing about the illegal activity. Elba Garcia has also been appointed an Advisor to the new Dallas Animal Services Task Force. What criteria did the City of Dallas use to select this Task Force and their advisors? This is not so different than the mayor pro tem giving a key to the city to M Vick. Another black eye for the city and another reprehensible act by city/county leaders. Pets should never be auctioned off. Ever.
Yvonne (DallasDogLife) says
We just had this happen in Flower Mound, and we raised a big enough stink to get them to take the puppy off the auction block. Ignorance is not an excuse, and in this case, ignorance can’t even be claimed. Elba Garcia has served on the Dallas City Council; she should have known it was illegal, not to mention morally wrong.
Thank you for letting us know about this, and I’ll be sure to spread the word to the DallasDogLife readers.
Cindy PugHearts says
PugHearts, the Houston pug rescue has been asked to participate in this type of event. We declined immediately and I told the organizer that I do not auction live souls. I find it disgusting. He told me it would benefit the rescue by exposing us to people with money. The entire thing made me sick.
L Harmon says
Not only is it against city ordinance but state law also has the same rule..No auctions or enticements with animals involved..and yes it is a fineable offence and should have been action taken at this event! Not knowing the law does not make it enexcusable. I pray that in the future someone stands up against such auctions and action being taken.
Jonnie England says
Oh, please. Trying to connect a charity event that auctioned off puppies to the Dallas Companion Animal Project to Michael Vick is ridiculous. One has nothing to with any of the others. Yes, Dr. Garcia is an on the Advisory Board of Dallas CAP and has long been well known as an outspoken champion of the animals in Dallas. But as a County Commissioner, she has no authority to write a citation to someone for violating a City ordinance. Even Dallas County Sherrif Valdez can’t cite someone on a City ordinance.
Christina Ryder says
Being associated with a non-profit organization, I have dealt with many people who feel it is acceptable to auction off a puppy. They will pay top dollar for these dogs and many times they end up in a shelter because it was a spur of the moment decision. Puppies or other animals are not commodities to be auctioned off like an electronic device and the people who think they are are just ignorant. But then again, these are the same people that will buy a dog from a puppy mill rather than rescue one.
PuhLeessee says
This is ridiculous! As long as they have a valid certificate of occupancy it is legal. The animals found good homes and the children benefited. Sounds win/win to me. Priorities are all out of kilter here…..
Stephen says
Well..Johnnie..one has everything to do with the other. The law is the law and as many a cop or code enforcement officer has told me when I said , “Sorry, I didn’t know” …”Ignorance is simply no excuse..sign here..”
Being outspoken is one thing..contacting the event’s organizers and stating that you cannot auction off puppies is another. I find it amazing so many of us in rescue know that this is illegal but a member of your board did not..Where was her outspoken-ness at this event..Too many donors there?
BTW.. Was CAP Self Appointed? I’d be curious to know if the members are the same members that oversaw the shelter where that cat died in the wall..
I have been banned/censored on their blogs for being “divisive” during the first week when answering another bloggers question regarding TNR and stating a fact regarding the ASPCA’s HSUS’s historic opposition to the no kill movement and their use of fear tactics. They were appointed back in July but we have yet to hear a plan.. just a bunch of Facebook likes.
Andrea Alcorn says
It is with a very sad heart that I write this post. I have taken the opportunity to speak with many animal commissioners, many city leaders, many reporters the last several days on this concern. The animal commissioners want us to all know that there is an ordinance that they have fought for so that animals aren’t sold at charity auctions. I have shared ideas with the animal commissioners that a positive way this goal could be accomplished is to call charities and make them aware of the law. I have also shared the idea that reporters could indeed help everyone become aware of the law through educating the public, charity organizers, etc. on what the law means. Indeed, the organizers of the beautiful event to raise over $700,000 for Children’s Medical Center were not aware and certainly no one I have spoken with would intentionally break the law. Nor would anyone that I have spoken with want to hurt an animal in any way. One reality we must all agree on is that one of the reasons Dallas is a great city is that there are so many people with big hearts and many successful people who are willing to donate hours, finances and talents to help many causes whether it is children, animals or cures for diseases. Many people gave endless hours and finances to do a beautiful benefit for the children of Children’s Medical Center. It was a beautiful evening. Children from Children’s Medical Center painted over 275 paintings, Cyndi Lauper entertained and went above and beyond to help spread the message of the outstanding work of Children’s Medical Center, thousands of people gave time, talent and finances to help children. Janelle and Larry Friedman and their law firm Friedman & Feiger gave countless hours for over a year to raise money for the children. They are also huge animal lovers so obviously would never intentionally do anything to hurt an animal. Nor would they intentionally break the law. I do not feel it is right to blame people for something that they are unaware of. I also do not believe that it is fair to damage reputations of people in the community whose only intention was to help people, children or dogs as a way of getting the word out about a law. A united front would have been a better approach. We can’t reverse the damage done to the people nor the heavy hearts of those who worked so hard to make a difference for children. There was no one involved in this situation nor others who are trying to change lives through charity events for other causes who want animals hurt. Is hurting people who only have beautiful intentions to give back to the world no matter what the cause really a positive way to get the word out about a law? I truly don’t believe so. The world today needs big hearts. We need to lift each other and help each other with all causes and we need to lift up people who try to do good not tear them down. Especially now during the holiday season, being spiritual and helping each other, children and animals and the people who do so much for all is where our focus should be. Not hurting people who have nothing but good intentions. God Bless children, animals and everyone who gives back. All should be celebrated. Happy Holidays.
Jonnie England says
Andrea, you say, “I have shared ideas with the animal commissioners that a positive way this goal could be accomplished is to call charities and make them aware of the law. I have also shared the idea that reporters could indeed help everyone become aware of the law through educating the public, charity organizers, etc. on what the law means.”
Those are certainly excellent ideas, and I hope that since you’ve made these suggestions, that means you are also offering to help make them happen. As you know, the members of the City’s Animal Shelter Commission are all volunteers, most of whom also have full-time jobs, and the City doesn’t provide them with a support staff. In order to call the hundreds and hundreds of charities in Dallas, they will need a lot of other volunteers helping, so I’m sure they will welcome your assistance. And since you have great media contacts, it will be wonderful to have your help reaching out to reporters to do stories on this subject. Working with the animal community, you can help us educate the public that not only is auctioning animals illegal, it’s also devaluing these living, sentient beings who share our lives. And, it’s just wrong.
Verjean Lunenschloss says
OF ANY ONE SINGLE person on the council in 2008, Elba Garcia should have known it was illegal to auction a puppy at an event. I will certainly hope that this is in error…and that she truly did NOT attend any event at which this happened. SHE was the sponsor and the impetus behind the 2008 ordinances. SHE WAS THEIR MAIN CHEERLEADER! She was the one that pushed, pulled, bargained and traded VOTES to get that ordinance passed. OF ANY SINGLE council member at that time, or since, she can LEAST plead ignorance to the law. SHE’S the one that initiated, supported, and FORCED that law through.
As for the policy, we have found that in the far majority of the cases, the auctioned pets ARE well-cared for…but the law is the law is the law…and many of the sections of that ordinance apply to a wide scale of the pet owning public. It was “intended” (in theory) to apply to “breeders”, but in fact, in reality, applies to everyone. Shame on Elba, if indeed, this truly happened. And should be reported as a crime each time it occurs.
Verjean Lunenschloss says
MSC piece from a month ago, at the “Best Buddies” event….
“At one point Jan approached Patrick with an auction item — an eight-week-old Labrador Retriever puppy. The “Dallas” star waved her off, saying, “No, I couldn’t have another hors d’oeuvre!”
“Throughout the evening, the female pup from WB Ranch Executive Retreat was handled by more people than a dollar bill. Luckily, her bodyguard, Adam Jauch was always vigilant making sure that she didn’t get lost in the crowd and used the outdoor powder room.”
“Trips to Aspen and Capella Pedregal and a Dallas Cowboys Suite Package brought skyrocketing figures. Even the little puppy, who was pretty worn out at this point, brought in a first bid of $1,000 from Dallas Cowboys’ Gerald Sensabaugh but eventually she went for $6,000. Not bad for a $500-valued puppy.”
Verjean Lunenschloss says
While I completely agree that these “auctioned” animals were not auctioned with any “intentional” disobedience to the ordinance, my question would be, had this been an organization less “noteworthy” than the ones here, would they be receiving the same level of “understanding”? First of all, we have been told repeatedly the “ignorance” of the law is no excuse. And quite frankly, in my opinion, the representatives of the city, past OR present, have a much greater obligation to be AWARE of the laws that they themselves support or are charged with ENFORCING. (Or…in Elba’s case WROTE and babysat through the entire ORDINANCE process…) These people are the VERY LAST individuals that should claim “ignorance”…they are OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, and in ELBA’S case, knew the ordinance inside and out, and yet made NO attempt to educate or inform the very audience in which she sat. If those politicians and police who are sworn to uphold the law, either don’t know the law, or refuse to to react when they see the law being broken, are the EXAMPLES of conduct to the “community” to which those same laws apples, we have a broken system, and laws that are beyond any kind of “enforcement.
Chris Watts says
A law is a law regardless of how difficult it maybe for some to understand. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. This is one example of many auctions through Dallas that have over time auctioned off live animals. It is not about attacking anyone at the event, who several walked out when they saw what was going on, its not about the elite, it’s not about the beneficiary – it’s about the law. If we allow one group to auction off animals, we have to allow all groups to do so. Do you want to see a school in fair park auctioning off pit bulls no. If the argument is it’s okay for some, but not all because of socioeconomics then it’s a larger issue that some need to deal with. County officials are not there to enforce city ordinance nor should animals be considered in the same categories as trip, bags, or other material items. To best understand, google rescue animals from auctions and you will find horrific stories and examples of the elite who have been charged with animal cruelty – less we forget Michael Vick
Carolyn Tillery says
I attended this event and have to say on behalf of elected officials (that’s a job I haven’t had in a long time!) at the fundraiser – like others – (and whom attend so many events often in the same night) they may not have known the pups were going to be auctioned. Fortuantely, having said that I’m not an elected official who are ultimately responsible for knowing the law -regardless of the situation. There are also a lot of laws on the books about everything under the sun and, in the grand scheme of things, may not have been aware of it, forgotten about it, or simply felt they couldn’t just leave. I say that being the mom in a household where Homer the Wonderdog runs our home and we live to serve him. I sincerely hope the little dogs weren’t afraid or upset.
It was a beautiful event which I know Janelle worked very hard on and it benefitted our amazing asset that is Children’s Medical Center. It’s just rather sad and unfortunate that this happened. I’m one of those media people who didn’t know the law exists. Now, I do.
Cynthia says
Most “Toy” breeds get excited and shake/shiver, its just the nature of most of those breeds. It may have had nothing to do with fear.