Attn: Rich Faivre, School Principal
RE: Donkey Basketball Event, March 12th 2016 7pm
Earlville High School, Earlville Illinois
Dear Mr. Faivre,
Donkey basketball, once popular in the 70's is a cruel and outdated practice. Donkeys are sensitive pets with a naturally gentle and trusting personality. During Donkey Basketball events donkeys often suffer mistreatment and abuse from unskilled handlers. The animals are many times dragged, hit by balls, kicked, slapped and sometimes forced to carry riders who are too heavy for the donkey. This abusive handling causes extreme stress and fear. Excessive weight causes damage to tendons, ligaments and skeletal structure. Sometimes the donkeys are withheld food and water so they do not "mess" on the court. These donkeys have to travel all over the country in cramped trailers forced to do game after game to make money.
The Humane Society of the United States, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Miniature Donkey Association and others are strongly against the sport. Many people feel these events send young people the message that it is acceptable to abuse and mistreat animals for entertainment.
We ask that you please cancel Donkey Basketball on March 12th and consider alternative fundraising events.
Updates
March 11, 2016
The school office has been firm in their refusal to acknowledge our concerns so far. It is draining to keep pushing against this wall of silence but I am not walking away from this fight yet.
March 11, 2016
Reaching this level of support has been an exhausting but necessary reminder that people care about how we treat these animals. The path forward feels long and the opposition is stubborn, yet seeing this many people push back gives me the strength to stay in this fight.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2016
46 Comments
I am from Paw Paw and we are having one of these in our town. I only wish someone would stop ours too.
I can't believe we have to tell you this. As a lead learner in your school, you should model responsible choices. Think of something else to engage your students that does not involve animal cruelty.
Please cancel this event. As a keeper of 6 miniature and 3 Standard donkeys, I cannot imagine anyone "using" a single one of them for such an event. Donkeys are such wonderful beings and to be used to make fun of them and let people who know little about handling donkeys jump on their backs makes me want to cry.
There are numerous ways to raise money - animal exploitation and abuse simply should not be a part of your goals. As educators, you should be encouraging your students to be compassionate. It's very well known that those who harm animals will very likely harm humans, so to hold an activity that might allow any at-risk students to be aggressive with or cruel to animals is very irresponsible and dangerous. Please cancel this event. Thank you for your time and consideration.
There has got to be better ways to raise money and have a good time. These games are very stressful for the donkeys and the weight of some of the riders causes damage to the donkeys. We are smart enough to come up with better fundraisers than donkey basketball and the circus. Animals should not be forced to entertain us.
TAX PAYER 'FLACK'... give kids scholarships with misguided funding.
Stop the ignorance.
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Attn: Rich Faivre, School Principal
RE: Donkey Basketball Event, March 12th 2016 7pm
Earlville High School, Earlville Illinois
Dear Mr. Faivre,
Donkey basketball, once popular in the 70's is a cruel and outdated practice. Donkeys are sensitive pets with a naturally gentle and trusting personality. During Donkey Basketball events donkeys often suffer mistreatment and abuse from unskilled handlers. The animals are many times dragged, hit by balls, kicked, slapped and sometimes forced to carry riders who are too heavy for the donkey. This abusive handling causes extreme stress and fear. Excessive weight causes damage to tendons, ligaments and skeletal structure. Sometimes the donkeys are withheld food and water so they do not "mess" on the court. These donkeys have to travel all over the country in cramped trailers forced to do game after game to make money.
The Humane Society of the United States, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Miniature Donkey Association and others are strongly against the sport. Many people feel these events send young people the message that it is acceptable to abuse and mistreat animals for entertainment.
We ask that you please cancel Donkey Basketball on March 12th and consider alternative fundraising events.
Updates
March 11, 2016
The school office has been firm in their refusal to acknowledge our concerns so far. It is draining to keep pushing against this wall of silence but I am not walking away from this fight yet.
March 11, 2016
Reaching this level of support has been an exhausting but necessary reminder that people care about how we treat these animals. The path forward feels long and the opposition is stubborn, yet seeing this many people push back gives me the strength to stay in this fight.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2016
46 Comments
How about we teach children empathy and respect for other living creatures instead of how to abuse them for our own amusement.
I am from Paw Paw and we are having one of these in our town. I only wish someone would stop ours too.
I can't believe we have to tell you this. As a lead learner in your school, you should model responsible choices. Think of something else to engage your students that does not involve animal cruelty.
Please cancel this event. As a keeper of 6 miniature and 3 Standard donkeys, I cannot imagine anyone "using" a single one of them for such an event. Donkeys are such wonderful beings and to be used to make fun of them and let people who know little about handling donkeys jump on their backs makes me want to cry.
There are numerous ways to raise money - animal exploitation and abuse simply should not be a part of your goals. As educators, you should be encouraging your students to be compassionate. It's very well known that those who harm animals will very likely harm humans, so to hold an activity that might allow any at-risk students to be aggressive with or cruel to animals is very irresponsible and dangerous. Please cancel this event. Thank you for your time and consideration.
There has got to be better ways to raise money and have a good time. These games are very stressful for the donkeys and the weight of some of the riders causes damage to the donkeys. We are smart enough to come up with better fundraisers than donkey basketball and the circus. Animals should not be forced to entertain us.
TAX PAYER 'FLACK'... give kids scholarships with misguided funding.
Stop the ignorance.
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How about we teach children empathy and respect for other living creatures instead of how to abuse them for our own amusement.