Activists Protest Donkey Basketball

Animal rights activists protest donkey basketball
by Ray Lane

SNOHOMISH, Wash. -- Donkey basketball -- is it clean fun, or simply cruel?

On Wednesday night, animal rights activists targeted Snohomish High School, where the popular annual family event took center court.

Simple advice and a pep talk paved the way for the tipoff, and a stampede of action on the court. Eight donkeys jumped into action with players on their backs.

The event was a fundraiser for a senior class graduation party with teachers and staff in black jerseys taking on the students in white.

But not everyone thinks it's fun and games. Animal rights activists quietly protested outside, saying it's simply cruel.

"The donkeys are pushed, kicked, shoved, and prodded to do something that is unnatural for them and confusing," said protester David Schirk. Read More

If you have ever owned or worked with a donkey you already know what happens when you try to make a donkey do something it doesn’t want to do. If these donkeys were suffering from abuse as claimed by these animal rights activists, they simply wouldn’t cooperate. Especially when you consider that people with very limited experience are riding them most of the time, it means the donkeys are in control most of the time doing what they want to do. As with most situations like this, those who are doing the complaining have the least amount of knowledge of the situation.

Donkey Basketball

Donkey Basketball cruel, say animal-rights activists
MELISSA SANTOS; melissa.santos@thenewstribune.com
Published: November 21st, 2008 12:05 AM

Shooting hoops from the back of a donkey is one way to raise money for a good cause. And few would argue that awarding teachers $300 grants for classroom projects or after-school activities is not a good cause.

But animal-rights activists say Donkey Basketball is also a way to hurt the animals and possibly their riders.

Members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want to stop a Donkey Basketball Tournament scheduled Saturday at Graham-Kapowsin High School. They say it will subject the animals to pain and confusion. Read More

One of the most frustrating things in trying to tell the story of agriculture can be when the public wants to believe PETA rather than the owners of the donkeys who have been doing this for nearly 30 years without incident. It goes to show that institutional knowledge and common sense can take a back seat to sensationalism and emotional, feel good arguments and that needs to stop.