Dog Day Afternoon

As you sit back watching basketball today, secure in your freedom, remember that in other places in the world the war on terror continues to rage. In England, for instance, the controversy over soccer mascot Donny the Dog is only now beginning to subside. In a tense standoff last week, the costumed dog — the mascot for the Doncaster Rovers — was barred from coming within 50 meters of the Galpharm Stadium in West Yorkshire due to unspecified "police intelligence." Terrorism? Rabies? Authorities wouldn't say.

Andy Liney, 58, a Rovers supporter for 46 years and a club director, is the man who has played Donny the Dog for the past five years. He offered to take off head and sit in the stands with fellow fans, but the police would not allow him in while wearing any of the costume. And so Liney had to go home. Why? Because he had no other clothes. That's right — he showed up wearing the dog costume and nothing else. According to the team's web site, Donny Dog was "too distressed to discuss the incident." Well, sure. But our favorite part was this: "Donny the Dog was to appear at the match with the home side's mascot, Terry Terrier." Damn. It would have been like Elvis performing with Sinatra. Kind of.

Donny Dog Barred [Doncaster Rovers]