Puppy auction at Luau dropped by Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada

A Labrador puppy won’t be auctioned off to raise funds at a Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada BBQ and Luau on Sunday.

Johnny Olivas, the club’s chief volunteer officer, made that announcement Tuesday in a news release that included a statement the decision came despite the belief the clubs ware in compliance with any legal issues involved.

“Recently there has been a tremendous amount of negative response to auctioning a puppy and its legality,” he said in a statement. “We have sought legal advice, and though we think we are in compliance, we have decided not to auction a puppy at the event.”

He said the event and the auction part of it are designed to raise funds to help defray costs for children in the clubs program with as little as $30 per child per year for those unable to pay more.

“The fund which would have been raised by auctioning the puppy to a responsible, loving family would have greatly assisted in that effort,” said Olivas, “but we cannot allow the negativity being wrongfully directed at us to tarnish this great effort and event.”

The event is from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Marv Teixeira Pavilion in Mills Park Sunday with a goal of raising 20 percent of the club’s annual budget supporting kids and teenagers, Olivas said. There will be other items auctioned, among them a car and a boat.