Boise, Idaho  – For his decision to cancel a scheduled “donkey basketball” game out of concern for the welfare of the animals and the safety of human participants, Kuna School District Superintendent Jay Hummel will receive PETA’s Compassionate Educator Award.

Hummel canceled the game — which was scheduled for this Friday, March 13 –following an outcry from people concerned about cruelty to the donkeys as well as the risk of injury to human participants. The fundraising event will proceed with a traditional basketball game.

Donkey basketball is a cruel and dangerous sport in which players shoot baskets while mounted on donkeys’ backs. Donkeys used in basketball games are often dragged, kicked, or hit by stray balls and are sometimes seriously injured in falls. Hauled around in cramped trailers, the donkeys are denied proper exercise. Food and water are often withheld from the donkeys before games in an effort to prevent unsightly “accidents.” The noise and chaos of the games are extremely stressful for the donkeys, and even though experts agree that the animals are only able to bear a little more than 100 pounds, the donkeys are typically forced to carry full-grown adults.

The games also pose a risk to human participants. An Illinois man was awarded more than $110,000 after being injured in a donkey basketball game. During another game, a Wisconsin state senator fell off a donkey and broke her leg.

“By taking a stand against the cruel and dangerous spectacle of donkey basketball, Superintendent Hummel has taught his students a valuable lesson in compassion that will serve them throughout their lives,” says PETA Assistant Director Kristie Phelps. “We hope that more educators will follow his example and realize that cruelty to animals has no place in our schools.”

For more information about animal issues, please visit PETA.org.