PETA, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals issued an alert calling for a stop to the game, which involves people playing basketball while riding donkeys. PETA says, “During such events, gentle donkeys are exposed to deafening crowds, blinding lights, and general chaos as they are jerked by the reins, screamed at, whipped, kicked, and ridden frantically by participants striving to score baskets against opposing riders.”
The middle school and the local Eagles have been deluged with emails and phone calls, according to officials at both locations. The Anacortes School District has rented out the middle school gym to the Eagles for a donkey basketball game set for this coming Saturday night.
Eagles Secretary David Mooney said this is the first time in more than 20 years of donkey basketball that they’ve been met with any kind of protest.
A middle school official said the school really has nothing to do with donkey basketball other than renting out the facility.
The event is a fund-raiser for the Eagles, which traditionally donates part of the income to the Food Bank.
PETA’s Web site says, “Please politely urge Anacortes Middle School administrators, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Anacortes Eagles Club to ditch this cruel event, and then forward this alert widely!”