Sheriff's Office puppy raffle prompts social media firestorm

The sheriff posted a flier promoting an annual raffle, where the department raffles off a puppy for a $1 at the county fair, held in October.

"It usually raises about $6,000, and we use that for our own K-9 department," said Sheriff's Capt. Richard Acuff.

Facebook comments called the raffle cruel and irresponsible, and people raised concerns about what kind of home a dog won at a fair would go home to.

Gretchen Clarke is with the Greater Charlotte Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"It’s an impulse buy, and animals should not be an impulse buy," Clarke said. “You walk by at a fair and you see this cute little puppy and say, 'Oh I want a puppy, I’m going to buy a raffle ticket.' You may not be prepared for that."

The sheriff's department also received angry phone calls and emails. On Friday morning, the sheriff called off the long-time fundraising event. It won't be held again.

The puppy that was up for raffle is a German shepherd named Emma. She was donated by a breeder and is currently living with a sheriff's deputy.

Deputies told Channel 9 they're disturbed by the negative comments online, especially because few who've won a puppy in year's past ever took it home. Most winners took the prize money instead, which is usually between $300 and $500.

"I can't remember that many people over the years wanting the dog over the cash," said retired Capt. Philip Todd.

Deputies said when a raffle winner did choose the puppy, they talked to Animal Control to make sure the family was not listed on a "no adopt" list. Deputies also talked to the winners about owning a dog and sometimes visited their property to make sure they could care for the dog properly.

Cleveland County deputies weren't sure what they may do in place of the raffle. They also typically sell shirts and other items at the fair to raise money.