Four Armagh donkeys suffered neglect

Published Thursday, 09 February 2012

Four donkeys in desperate need of care have been found abandoned on a road in Armagh, with a welfare charity unsure if one animal in particular will recover from its ordeal.

One of four donkeys rescued from an Armagh roadside in a badly neglected state. (© The Donkey Sanctuary)

The donkeys - which were found wet, cold and hungry by police on Wednesday, after a report from a concerned member of the public - are now in the care of the Donkey Sanctuary.

One four-year-old skewbald is very thin and suffering from badly overgrown and twisted hooves.

"All of the donkeys are underweight, exhausted and clearly in need of care, but it is the young skewbald that concerns me most," Marie McCormack from the sanctuary said.

We will do all we can to give them the best chance possible of returning to full health.
The Donkey Sanctuary

"We rate the body condition of donkeys as being between zero and five, with zero being emaciated and five obese - this donkey barely scores 1.5 underneath his matted winter coat.

"He looks a really sorry sight, with very twisted and overgrown hooves that were clearly the result of quite a long period of neglect and must be causing him much pain."

She added: "Only time will tell whether he is able to fully recover from his ordeal."

The Donkey Sanctuary was asked by police to collect the animals, as no owner could be found.

"I have never seen donkeys so hungry or desperate for shelter and warmth," their rescuer said.

"Normally donkeys need a bit of encouragement to walk onto a lorry, but these four walked straight on having seen the hay net at the back and tucked in eagerly.

"It must have been some time since they were last fed."

The donkeys will now be kept safe and cared for by the sanctuary - a charity funded entirely by donations - receiving any veterinary or farrier treatment they need.

The Donkey Sanctuary takes in an average of eight donkeys every week across the UK and Ireland and can also provide free expert advice for donkey owners experiencing difficulties.

Comments

5 Comments

Patricia in North Belfast wrote (103 days ago):

Why do people get animals when they know that they either can't or WON'T look after them. People like this should be ashamed of themselves. This is a very upsetting situation and I hope the culprits behind this are caught and properly punished. The Donkey Sanctuary are doing an excellent job. Well done to all the workers.

harry in ards wrote (103 days ago):

why did the owner of these animals treat them so bad?if caught he should be jailed.

Gary dickinson in Kilkeel wrote (104 days ago):

COuld we adopt one of these donkeys? We have loads of space for one and our kids would have it spoiled rotten!

Sam Brannigan in Belfast wrote (104 days ago):

Its terrible that these poor animals were ever allowed to get into this state.It would just have taken one phone call from either a concerned member of the public or the even the owner that they needed help.Too many animals across this island are left without food and water to simply die.Well done the donkey sanctuary for the great work that you do.

Eileen in Fermanagh wrote (104 days ago):

Someone somewhere knows who owns these poor unfortunate donkeys, and the owner should be highly ashamed of himself. I hope that if anyone has any conscience and knows the owner that they will confidentially inform the psni or the NSPCA immediately. I hope they make a full recovery.