A 1960s photograph possibly taken at the Gratz Fair, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, of the van used to transport donkeys around the country for them to participate in games of “Donkey Ball,” a popular fund raiser. There are numerous newspaper references to this game in many communities of the Lykens Valley and nearby, starting in the 1930s and continuing into the 1960s. The games played during this time period were a variation of baseball, but where players rode around on donkeys instead of using their legs, and the ball used was about the size of a basketball. Today, where Donkey Ball still exists, it is a variation of basketball and is played on a gym floor.
The controversy involving the use of donkeys concerns the treatment to them when they refuse to move or cooperate with their riders. One article, from the Lykens Standard of 26 July 1935, put it thus:
It took much persuasion and perseverance to encourage some of the borros to move in the direction or at the time desired. By twisting their tails, pulling their ears, or kicking their ribs the little mountain climbers would sometimes move.
On the other hand, the businesses that supplied the donkeys justified their involvement by insisting that the donkeys were trained to perform and that Donkey Ball was an amusement for all ages, not to mention ts popularity in raising funds for worthwhile causes.
Most of the articles found in the Lykens Valley area newspapers emphasized the hilarity of the “sport” and the good fun the audience members had in watching it. Only one article, quoted above, made any mention of cruel treatment to the animals.
Today, organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.), have placed Donkey Ball on its list of activities that mistreat or are cruel to animals.
The ASPCA is opposed to animal “acts” or contests that are frightening or stressful to the animals. Examples are diving horses, donkey basketball, greased pig contests and dancing bears.
In addition to the A.S.P.C.A., other organizations such as PETA and the National Parent Teacher Association have condemned Donkey Ball.
The donkeys are supplied by a handful of companies that rent out these personable animals like carnival equipment, loading and unloading them in and out of trailers and hauling them around the country from one event to the next. The lights, noise, and commotion of these events are extremely stressful for the donkeys, who must endure the additional trauma of being kicked, shoved, and shouted at….
Schools from coast to coast have stopped hosting cruel donkey basketball fundraisers because they want to help nurture kind kids, not bullies….
The PETA web site also cites a number of injuries caused to participants either through accidents or by retaliatory donkeys. Law suits followed.
A collection of newspaper articles found in Lykens Valley papers is presented here in four separate posts:
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Articles from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.