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PETA Tells Nevada School to Dump Donkey Basketball
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is not happy about a Nevada school fundraiser in which a game of basketball includes players riding on donkeys.
PETA has issued an "action alert" on its Web site, asking concerned humans to contact Lyon County School District Superintendent Caroline McIntosh and Yerington High School Principal Jerry Ogolin to tell them to cancel the Donkey Basketball fundraiser scheduled for March 1 at the Nevada school.
The Associated Press reports that superintendent McIntosh has no plans to cancel Donkey Basketball, which is described as "a tradition" at Yerington High School, but that she will make an effort to "to ensure [the donkeys] are treated humanely."
Here's a video from YouTube of a donkey basketball event from 2007.
So is this just a bit of harmless fun? Not according to PETA. The group says donkey basketball encourages kids to be cruel, and that the game also is dangerous for the human players. A story on the PETA's Web site says "donkeys who are mistreated or forced into loud, confusing environments can become frightened and may lash out to protect themselves," and that bipedal donkey basketball participants have been injured more than once during these events.
Buckeye Donkey Ball, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one company that offers a number of donkey-related games, including Donkey Basketball, Donkey Baseball and Donkey Racing.
According to a contract posted on its Web site, Buckeye Donkey Ball takes at least half of the profits from the sponsoring school or organization. "After deducting only admission taxes, if any, BUCKEYE will receive 60 percent of all ticket sales or a $1,200.00 minimum payment, whichever is greater. When ticket sales exceed $3,000.00 BUCKEYE will receive 50 percent of all ticket sales," the site states.
This is why PETA says Donkey Basketball also fails as a fundraiser.
As for potential donkey dangers, Buckeye Donkey Ball requires all participants to sign a waiver, which does contain some language about how the donkeys should be treated. For example, "Players MUST NOT pull hair, ears or tails of donkeys or each other. Use caution when catching a donkey and please stay off his rear end at all times." As for the humans, "Please do not push or pull anyone from their donkey."
PETA offers suggestions for fundraisers it feels are less cruel, such as "rubber-duck derby races," which, according to group, raised $133,000 for three Oregon Rotary Clubs.
What do you think? Is donkey basketball cruel? Are there better ways for schools to raise money? Perhaps a Donkey Kong tournament?
Related: Michelle Obama Unwittingly Stars in PETA Anti-Fur Ad
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ReaderComments (Page 4 of 7)
2-24-2010 @ 3:56PM
charger383 said...several donkeys have a good life thanks to Buckeye Donkey Ball. What would happen to then with out donkey ball. I played in one of these games in high school. They took good care of the donkeys.
Charger
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2-24-2010 @ 3:58PM
of said...Wow..what a memory this brings back of when I was in school back in the 70's-81 our teachers had these games...no problems...it was all about fun back in the day and people left people alone...
Now it's all about let's take everything that is not hurting anybody away and bring about a bunch of other crap that has no meaning and no more traditions or family values.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:01PM
spikes_dad said...They should ride Ingrid and then breed her to the donkey... but I guess there are some things even a donkey wouldn't do!!
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2-24-2010 @ 4:07PM
David said...It is the donkey's job to be a beast of burden, in this instance, carrying people on their backs while playing basketball. In the past it was pulling mine carts full of ore or giving little kids rides in the park. Animals do their job, and I do mine. PeTA are liars.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:09PM
Reginas6788 said...My junior high school had donkey basketball games back in the early 70's. They were great fundraisers and I never saw any abuse at all. PETA needs to worry about real animal abuse, not just fun. Is it abuse to ride a horse?
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2-24-2010 @ 4:22PM
Sean said...How is this any different from a game like Polo? I don't hear PETA b*tching about that one. Heck, in Afghanistan men ride horses on a track while trying to throw a goat carcass into a goal. I don't hear PETA b*tching about that one either. PETA is just a group of self-righteous *ssholes who are completely ignorant of the real world. The only reason they exist is because they were all pampered, spoiled-rotten little children who were probably raised in billowy cushions and fed "organic soul minerals". They're just pathetic.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:21PM
PAULA said...My father played donkey softball in the early 70's and my high school had donkey basketball in the late 70's early 80's. There is nothing wrong with this and if PETA was so concerned, why wait 30 over 30 years to say something
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2-24-2010 @ 4:21PM
David said...So if this is wrong, I wonder how PETA feels about Polo?
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2-24-2010 @ 4:22PM
tom said...I have done this as almost anyone from small town USA will tell you, it is a hoot and as long as you do what they say it is fairly safe, it is definitely fun.
The promoter announces the basketball game and you might be on the one donkey that recognizes words or whistles and just as you are about to shoot the donkey stops right in its tracks, I fell off but knew I probably would, or he can make them start going backwards etc., it is more for small town America as we all have animals and love animals, they get a break to potty and they wear soft shoes so as not to tear up the gym floor and we make money, but its more of a tradition and afterwards all the donkeys get petted and rubbed down good and they seem to love it as they seem to know they are like little rockstars to smalltown USA as they see the smiles they bring.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:45PM
Annie said...While PETA does a lot for animal cruelty, it's good, but a lot of times, they worry over nothing like donkey basketball
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2-24-2010 @ 4:26PM
Jessica said...I don't think PETA is a bad organization.. They mean well and shouldn't be bashed for that. You guys should grow up and quit calling names like you are children.
I don't think there's anything wrong with what's going on in this particular video. And I do think PETA should set their sights on some different issues. Like the meat, dairy, animal testing, and fur industries. These donkeys don't seem to be having fun, but they're not being abused or hurt either.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:28PM
WSTARHOPPER said...Every once and a while PeTA take on a worthwile cause. This is not one of them. Actually this tips the arrow on the weird meter. PeTA is so very good at doing this. Someone once told me when I became a parent to "Choose your battles wisely" That is good advice for PeTA I suggest they take it.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:30PM
bob said...Why does AOL continue to report what PETA wants.
I have never seen a time when over 20% of people agree with their wants.
THere are many other important things to write on.
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2-24-2010 @ 5:03PM
garys0755 said...This is really no big deal. The Donkey's look like they couldn't care less, and the one is very amused with himself scaring the kid on his back. I have been around a lot of animals all my life, and really, donkey's really don't care. They always seem to be in control, because they JUST DON'T CARE!!!
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2-24-2010 @ 4:31PM
kj said...As with all PETA issues people are liabilities and animals are the "ass"ets.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:37PM
bob said...peta is nothing but idiots trying to pick a fight on everything. they act as if the donkeys are being mistreated. next thing oyu'll see peta telling people to stop riding thier horses they have. peta to me is abusing thier power over things.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:38PM
nan h said...Who in the hell came up with this idea. Really!
I don't believe that these schools raise that amount of money for this.
I would not pay to see this , even if my own kid was riding one.
It's stupid. And after looking a the video on You Tube, the donkeys are not afraid of the kids but the guy with the striped shirt with the stick.
Only a Bunch of Hicks would pay to see this.
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2-24-2010 @ 4:46PM
Laura said...The stick is used as an extention of the arm to direct the donkey. It is not used to strike the animal. If required you can used it to lightly tap the animal to get their attention to Ask them to do a task.
2-24-2010 @ 5:08PM
tom said...hey I resemble that remark? what , just kidding , we are from the country and maybe I am a little redneck as you put it but if you had ever been to one of the basketball games I bet we would catch you laughing maybe not riding but definetly laughing, and they do get pampered more than your average donkey, it is a tradition that is harmless and brings smiles on everyones faces which we need more of now than ever, I guess these kids could be planning something more violent but we have a little different lifestyle out here and the pace is a little more slow and we tend to enjoy the smaller things in life, From a Rednecker
2-24-2010 @ 4:39PM
LasVegasX said...Are they branding the donkeys to get them to move? No. I don't see kids whipping them either. The PETA is just a bunch of crybabies who want to spoil everything for others.
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