I am writing in reference to Tia Wallman's March 27 letter concerning the donkey basketball game.

She refers to the animals as tiny, which would mean these donkeys are the miniature size (36" or less in height). This size donkey cannot physically carry more than about 100 pounds, although they can pull upward of 300 pounds, which is why they make good driving donkeys.

If people receive such joy from seeing these animals buckle under excessive weight, I feel pity for them and certainly for the donkeys. And if the act of carrying the people is not bad enough, also think about how they are pulled and jerked around the basketball court.

Even though the sport of "horse tripping" has been outlawed, there is another sport that animal rights groups are trying to abolish, without success. The supposedly illegal sport of donkey roping is still being conducted in Texas. In this sport, "cowboys" chase after the donkeys, like cattle, to hone their roping skills.

Go into the Web site of the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue if you would like to learn more of this tragic and deplorable practice toward donkeys.

Wallman stated at the end of her letter that the small children sat quietly, surely horrified at what they were witnessing, while the adults convulsed with laughter.

There are many ways to conduct fundraisers other than by putting animals in harm's way. People need to remember that although creatures are great, the donkey is the one that carried Mary.

Diane Stephens

Carthage