Unlawful Accommodation of Donkeys Act 1837

I’m not entirely sure what to make of this Irish newspaper article my sister sent me. Since I’m too flabbergasted to paraphrase, here’s the opening sentence:

A man who was found dressed in latex and handcuffs brought a donkey to his room in a Galway city centre hotel, because he was advised “to get out and meet people,” the local court heard last week.

The alleged perpetrator was charged with, among other things, cruelty to animals, lewd behavior and violation of the above-mentioned Unlawful Accommodation of Donkeys Act.

I can’t help remembering an incident that happened when I was in college. One of the fraternities was brought up on disciplinary charges after a particularly raucous party. The friend from whom I heard the story never knew what actually happened, just that the frat members’ punishment included attending sensitivity training workshops run by the Women’s Center and the ASPCA.