The greater Washington State area is banding together to officially make it a rule that dogs definitively and legally cannot play basketball. When the Fernfield Timberwolves were allowed to sub in Buddy, a team member’s golden retriever, to take part in the ‘97 championship game, it was a novel, even heartwarming story. Since then, though, things have taken a turn for the worse.
While Buddy was a good-natured dog that was actually capable of making jump shots, the rest of the dogs that have partaken in middle school basketball have not been as capable or well tempered. Just a month ago, several young boys had to go to the hospital to get treated for bites and receive rabies shots after a (knowingly) rabid dog was subbed in as the power forward for the Spokane Owls. This was all completely allowed by the league since, as they’ve repeatedly pointed out, there’s yet to be an update to the official basketball rules that specifically state that no canine is allowed to play. The only reason the dog was taken out of the game was that it fouled out. By then, the other team’s roster was completely decimated and forced to forfeit.
Even when dogs aren’t rabid, it’s still extremely difficult to play basketball as it was intended. Many games have been delayed or postponed due to dogs defecating or urinating on the court, equipment, and personnel. This isn’t only disgusting but has proven to be a game hazard. The most infamous example being when #1 high school prospect Kevin Barnes slipped on the fecal matter of Mr. Sprinkles and tore both his ACLs.
With your help, we are hoping that the nightmare of dogs playing basketball can finally be over. While we are focused solely on dogs being banned from participating, we are hoping this will open the door to other animals being prevented from playing as well. The last thing we need is another chinchilla getting trampled while trying to set a screen.