A donkey hauled into the sky on a parachute as an advertising gimmick for paragliding has landed those responsible in trouble, Russian media reported Tuesday.
Russian businessmen dreamt up the stunt to attract the attention of sunbathers on a beach in the Sea of Azov in southern Russia, DPA reported.
The men tied the terrified animal to a parachute affixed to a motorboat, which then launched the donkey into the air, the reports said.
Tourists look on in amazement, and some children cried at the animal's misfortune, but nobody thought to call police.
The businessmen ended the stunt after half-an-hour and the dazed animal was dragged across the water before being released on the beach.
Russian media described the act as "extremely brutal" and a violation of animal protection laws.
The perpetrators could face two years in prison if convicted of cruelty to animals.