Iconic Olathe donkey statue vandalized while painted rainbow colors

An Olathe women’s donkey statue has been loved by the neighborhood for years. It sits on the side of 143rd Street and is always wearing a new paint design. Throughout the month of June, it was painted the colors of the rainbow, and has been vandalized twice since.

The donkey statue is named Donk Donk.

“There he lived for many years, minding his own business,” said Louise, the statue owner.

Louise painted it rainbow at the request of a little girl who drives past Donk Donk every day. She said it just happened to coincide with pride month. The first time Donk Donk was vandalized, it was allegedly set on fire.

That’s when Louise says she put up a camera. She saw the second act of vandalism on her security footage. Donk Donk was thrown across the road.

“I saw that he was you know cracked in places and he was leaking his sand, and his head was all split and I thought this is just awful,” said Louise.

Even though parts of the donkey are falling apart, the surrounding neighborhoods are coming together. Louise says since she posted about the vandalism on Nextdoor she’s received dozens of messages of support for Donk Donk, and even offers to fix or replace the donkey.

Olivia Acree/ksHB

“The one positive thing that has definitely happened because of this is just the sheer number of positive things that have been said, and support, and how upset people are,” said Louise.

People that love the statue have left flowers and signs. Louise says when she’s out with Donk Donk, she often gets people stopping by to hear his story.

“I can’t see him from my house but everyone who drives by can and that’s I mean that’s the beauty of it he’s really he’s everybody’s donkey,” said Louise.

Louise says she will always have a donkey statue. She’s deciding whether to fix or replace Donk Donk, and she wants people to know that if she has to take Donk Donk to get fixed or replaced, she’ll leave a sign so people know that it'll be back soon.