Second petition started in hopes of bringing La Salette donkey back
By Kirsten Glavin
@kirstenglavin
ATTLEBORO, MA – La Salette-goers shared mixed feelings, Friday night about whether Clopper the donkey should return to the Festival of Lights to make his yearly debut at the nativity scene.
"On these cold nights I think its better if he has a home somewhere else instead of being surrounded by people,” said Mary Grace Larocque of East Providence.
"I don’t think its too cold. He’s a wild animal, and animals are meant to be outside,” Lydia Mitchell of Sutton, MA told ABC6 News.
The debate follows new criticism of how Clopper was treated earlier this season, while in his pen at the Festival of Lights in Attleboro.
Critics continue to argue that the frigid temperatures are too cold for the domesticated celebrity donkey to be outside. According to an online petition signed by more than 1,800 people, Clopper had been seen with frozen water in his bowl and not enough food.
"I think he should go. It’s really cold out here; he shouldn’t withstand all of this weather,” said Yugerny Toribio, visiting the shrine where the donkey was once placed.
But a growing number of Clopper fans disagreed.
"He was fine, they always had someone with him,” said Madison Moscatelli. “He had food, water, and they always had enough bedding for him to burrow in. He never seemed cold or was crying."
Many are now trying to bring him back, starting their own online petition. As of Friday night, the website had more than 600 signatures.
"This is tradition. People come here every year to see the donkey. Why break tradition?” said Helen Lifrieri of Raynham, Mass.
According to Clopper’s vet, Dr. EJ Finocchio from the RI SPCA, donkeys are built to withstand cold temperatures. He added that La Salette takes good care of him.
"He’s well equipped to withstand these weather conditions without any question whatsoever,” said Dr. Finocchio. Dr. Finocchio also signed the petition to bring Clopper, otherwise known as Don Quixote, back to the shrine.
