Fundraiser Organizers Cancel Cruel ‘Donkey Basketball’ Game

October 2007

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and Lumen Christi High School in Jackson, Michigan, canceled a “donkey basketball” fundraiser. PETA had contacted the organizers to inform them about the cruelty associated with donkey basketball as well as the safety risks for human participants. The noise and chaos of the games are extremely stressful for donkeys, who often endure the additional trauma of being shoved, kicked, screamed at, or whipped when they are found to be “uncooperative” by riders who usually have no experience handling donkeys. After an outpouring of concern from local PETA supporters, the fundraiser was canceled.