Controversy brewing over donkey basketball game in Earlville

There are a lot of school fundraisers but most don’t involve donkeys. And the use of donkeys isn’t sitting well with some.

Seniors at Earlville High School will try and make baskets while riding donkeys starting at 7 o’clock next Saturday night in the high school gym. Advanced tickets are $6 and are available at First State Insurance in Earlville and in the school office.

If you go to the fundraiser, you may have to sidestep protesters. Animal rights activists plan a “peaceful protest” outside the school next Saturday night before the donkey basketball game. Protesters say the donkeys are ridden by “unskilled and over-weighted riders”. They claim the donkeys are smacked in the face, hit by balls and “grossly mishandled”.