Google: We Did Not Kill That Donkey in Botswana

False alarm!

Google's Street View is amazing. The service has photos from all over the world, from New York to Antarctica. This means we can explore places we may never visit and snag a sneak peek of life in other countries. However, there are also a lot of crazy things on Google Street View. Some people make it their mission to be photographed by the car, while others are caught unawares while doing something private in a not so private place. Google usually keeps quiet about the crazy stuff that crops up on the site. However, this week, the company felt the need to address some rumors regarding one set of Street View photos.

Google yesterday took to its Lat Long blog to deny claims that one of its Street View cars had run over a donkey in Botswana.

"Over the last 24-hours concerned members of the public and the media have been speculating on the fate of a donkey pictured in Street View in the Kweneng region of Botswana," the search giant wrote in a blog post, adding that the donkey did not die and actually moved for the car.

"As our imagery below shows, the donkey was lying in the path - perhaps enjoying a dust bath - before moving safely aside as our car drove past. I’m pleased to confirm the donkey is alive and well."

Google also included some photos of the donkey safe and sound on the side of the road and a shot of the cute little guy standing by the roadside as the Google car drove away.

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There are 30 Comments.

Top Comments

27

Camikazi , January 18, 2013 12:42 AM

People who thought it was dead aren't that bright since if you moved down the street you could see the donkey get back up and start moving. Plus, it doesn't even look dead and it doesn't seem like the car is going fast enough to hurt a human let alone a donkey if it did hit it.
26

anonymous@guest , January 18, 2013 1:40 AM

Better head line is:
Google: We did not tap that ass.
17

tirvon , January 18, 2013 12:46 AM

Why do people have nothing better to do with their time than look for random stuff like this on the internet??

Other Comments

27

Camikazi , January 18, 2013 12:42 AM

People who thought it was dead aren't that bright since if you moved down the street you could see the donkey get back up and start moving. Plus, it doesn't even look dead and it doesn't seem like the car is going fast enough to hurt a human let alone a donkey if it did hit it.
-1

zorky9 , January 18, 2013 12:44 AM

Pinocchio!!!
17

tirvon , January 18, 2013 12:46 AM

Why do people have nothing better to do with their time than look for random stuff like this on the internet??
14

edogawa , January 18, 2013 12:49 AM

You can tell it wasn't hit by the image alone simply by the following:

No blood, marks in sand show evidence of it dirt/sunbathing, it wold have have been more off to the side of road(not on tire tracks), the car would have been significantly damage on impact from a donkey of that size and caliber, no sign of physical damage or markings on the body, and if there was an impact the tracks would have not gone straight, we'd have a sharp turn or stop of some kind.

It's clear it's alive and just enjoying itself in dirt. Can't miss a large adult donkey in the middle of an empty dirt road unless something else is going on.
2

mrmaia , January 18, 2013 12:50 AM

Even if they did kill the donkey, what's up? I'm sure none of the little whimps that pointed the photo out would like it if Google pulled out Street View because of possible roadkills.
1

COLGeek , January 18, 2013 1:07 AM

Wow! In a world full of cameras, this is one of the many unintended consequences of a wired planet.
3

jupiter optimus maximus , January 18, 2013 1:12 AM

That donkey is cute! There is one in my back yard just staring at a tree for hours everyday. I let them graze my lawn. UhhheEEEEEEE!
-4

whiteodian , January 18, 2013 1:25 AM

It's a coverup. They murdered that poor, sweet, innocent donkey and when they were caught, they took photos of a live donkey in an attempt to make it look like they did no wrong doing. For those who are trying to argue it isn't dead, are you an animal homicide expert or do you work for Google?
1

fenix1186 , January 18, 2013 1:35 AM

So if they provided pictures of the donkey safe and sound... why are they not attached to this article?
-6

whiteodian , January 18, 2013 1:38 AM

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/google_didnt_kill_donkey_it_just_looked_way2013#comment-225883
Here are the alleged pictures of the donkey alive and safe. Don't try to cover the truth people with your down-votes. Google must answer for this tragedy.
26

anonymous@guest , January 18, 2013 1:40 AM

Better head line is:
Google: We did not tap that ass.
1

fenix1186 , January 18, 2013 1:42 AM

He actually is kinda cute... :X
1

basketcase87 , January 18, 2013 1:44 AM

whiteodianIt's a coverup. They murdered that poor, sweet, innocent donkey and when they were caught, they took photos of a live donkey in an attempt to make it look like they did no wrong doing. For those who are trying to argue it isn't dead, are you an animal homicide expert or do you work for Google?
You don't need to be an "animal homicide expert" (side note, "animal homicide" doesn't exist, since homicide is the act of a human killing another human, hence the hom- prefix). Anyone who has hit a deer before can tell you that donkey has not been hit by a car.
-4

whiteodian , January 18, 2013 1:56 AM

Fine then smarty pants. Donkicide. Equicide (from Equidae - the horse family). Just wait until PETA gets on this story.
0

belardo , January 18, 2013 1:57 AM

Anyone with half a brain can see its taking a dirt bath.
-1

noob2222 , January 18, 2013 2:01 AM

google needs to answer for the killing of this girl too!!!!
-1

noob2222 , January 18, 2013 2:03 AM

missed the link.

http://www.thfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/street-view-dead-body.jpg
5

spartanmk2 , January 18, 2013 2:27 AM

Shrek: Donkeyyyyyy!!!
6

Devoteicon , January 18, 2013 2:33 AM

Thank God. Now I'll be able to sleep again.
-1

whiteodian , January 18, 2013 2:52 AM

belardoAnyone with half a brain can see its taking a dirt bath.
Is that like saying sleeping with the fishes?

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Google: We Did Not Kill That Donkey in Botswana

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