Cruelty probe after parasailing donkey stunt

[Wagewar47]

from AP...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100720/ap_on_fe_st/eu_russia_parasailing_donkey

MOSCOW – Authorities in Russia are opening an animal cruelty probe into a weekend stunt on a beach in southern Russia in which a donkey parasailed high over the surf.

Amateur video footage showed men attaching a parasail harness to the trembling mule. The English-language Kremlin news channel Russia Today reported that sunbathers were distressed at the sight of the flying donkey, which brayed in fear as it glided above the bay for half an hour.

Russia Today reported the donkey was shell-shocked but survived.

Reports said the donkey flight was a promotional stunt. Employees of a leisure firm in the village of Golubitskaya on the Azov Sea could face two years in prison if they are charged and convicted of animal cruelty.

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My take: While I'm not on the PETA bandwagon, this is probably a questionable thing to do. Is it Michael Vick dog-fighting, no... but certainly the company that did this used bad judgement. Plans like this that are hilarious "on paper", should stay "on paper".

 

[Dancingweapon]

Just saw the video for that. Wasn't funny enough to warrant something so horrible. Hope they get the two years.

 

[JP]

I'm all for PETA <_<

But that was messed up. I feel bad for the poor donkey.

 

[Halifirien]

It's bad enough when a bird craps on you, but imagine getting hit by a donkey... oy.

 

[Ghost]

Okay, I shouldn't have laughed as hard as I did. I feel sorry for the donkey, but at the same time I laughed my ass off. Hali hit the nail on the head though, all those poor unsuspecting swimmers. x.x

 

[Dancingweapon]

Could you imagine just sitting on your balcony with some friends and just seeing a donkey soar through the sky right pass you.

 

[Ghost]

Could you imagine just sitting on your balcony with some friends and just seeing a donkey soar through the sky right pass you.

Only one thing would come to mind: "Hey, you know how you always said 'when pigs fly' well, I just saw a donkey fly. So umm... about that money you owe me?!"

 

[Dancingweapon]

haha, it would be the ultimate mind fuck ever. If they were smart they would of used a pig anyway rofl.

 

[Pompidou]

It wasn't right, but the animal wasn't hurt, so I think two years in Russian prison is excessive. A fine would suffice. There wasn't any malicious intent, just humor, and while it was in bad taste, nothing happened, and a slap on the wrist should be enough. They won't be doing it again.

 

[ShomeGhuye]

OMG that picture is so funny.

 

[Alereth]

It wasn't right, but the animal wasn't hurt, so I think two years in Russian prison is excessive.

But haven't you played Modern Warfare 2? After a short time, the British SAS will break them out of the gulag. It isn't so bad...

On topic: This would be an ultimate "WTF" moment to see a donkey just...fly by.....

 

[Hexx]

LOL good stuff, I couldnt stop laughing. It was in bad taste though, but thankfully the donkey wasn't hurt. Now imagine, the donkey had shit itself while it was up there?