Help stop a cruel "donkey basketball" event scheduled for March 12 at Kuna High School.

Donkey basketball games are miserable and dangerous for the animals involved. Donkeys are hauled around the country for hundreds of games a year in cramped, stuffy trailers. The noise, bright lights, and confusion during the games are extremely stressful for donkeys, who often endure the additional trauma of being shoved, kicked, dragged by the reins, or whipped when their riders find them to be "uncooperative." Although experts agree that an average-sized donkey is only able to carry a little more than 100 pounds, donkeys are typically forced to haul full-grown adults in donkey basketball games.

Kuna School District Superintendent Jay Hummel has agreed to discuss this issue at the monthly school board meeting next week. A decision to cancel the game will be made at this public meeting. Please plan to attend as a member of the community and voice your concerns to school administrators. Let them know that they should teach students compassion and choose only animal-free fundraisers.