BRUNSWICK, Ohio — The routine task of raising enough money to fund an after-prom party at Brunswick High School has become controversial this year.

Protests are planned for the fundraising event scheduled for Feb. 19, when 32 donkeys will be trucked to the Brunswick Community Recreation and Fitness Center to participate in a Donkey Ball game. (Video)

The Buckeye Donkey Ball company that will supply the donkeys, from their facility outside Columbus, assured school officials that the donkeys are and will be treated humanely, but animal activists disagree.

School and city officials, who are "big men, are going to be riding the little donkeys that I can't imagine enjoy playing basketball with bright lights and a screaming crowd of people," Brunswick parent Lisa Jacobson said. (Petition)

"If we are saying it's OK to treat animals like this, what kind of message are we sending to our children?"

Brunswick City Schools Superintendent Michael Mayell

Superintendent Michael Mayell said he was convinced by the company's literature that the event is humane. (See the documents below.)

The Cleveland Animal Rights Meetup Group, Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary and local PETA members are gearing up for a protest outside the 7 p.m. event.

Activist Gia Campola, who is heading up the protest, said, "why are we regressing to an activity that was popular decades ago and fell out of favor because it's obscene? People find the pictures to be particularly upsetting when these grown men, whose feet touch the ground, ride these gentle, docile animals. Their bent heads and tucked tails are just so distressing - they can do nothing but tolerate it. They are at these peoples' mercy.

Animal activists see donkey basketball as an abusive use of docile animals.

"Also, as important, is what example is this setting for our young people. Children do pay attention to the actions of the adults around them and do make choices based on what adults deem acceptable. I was a parent-teacher group president for a very long time and worked closely with administration in our school system in Wickliffe, and we were very aware that children follow our example and everything our actions indicate about us. Therefore, the complete abandonment of compassion shown by exploiting these creatures, accepting the conditions that these animals endure and making money from their exploitation is really not a good gauge for these kids to set their moral compasses by."

Buckeye Donkey Ball receives 60 percent of the first $3,000 raised, and 50 percent of any further proceeds, according to the contract. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.