Donkey basketball

Donkey basketball is a variation on the standard game of basketball, played on a standard basketball court, but in which the players ride donkeys. A donkey basketball game is usually staged as a one-shot fundraising event, typically in public schools. Commercial farms provide donkeys and equipment, splitting the proceeds with the hiring party. Donkey basketball has been practiced in the United States since the 1930s.[1]

Photograph of a donkey basketball player.

Donkey basketball has been targeted by animal rights activists, who claim the sport is cruel to animals.[2][3] Critics site problems caused by inexperienced participants handling the donkeys, such as the beating and kicking of donkeys by the riders and donkey owners, and the intentional starvation of donkeys a few days prior to a basketball game to prevent them from urinating or defecating on the install basketball courts.[2][3] Promoters claim the events are "supervised" and the animals are "treated humanely."[1]