Donkeys abandoned in Sligo find welcome sanctuary in Liscarroll
IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE DONKEYS WOULD HAVE STARVED TO DEATH
A GROUP of malnourished donkeys found living in appalling conditions in a waterlogged field in Co Sligo are set to be given a new lease of life thanks to caring staff at the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll.
Such was their poor state of health the 16 donkeys, which varied in age from two to 20-years of age, were seized by Department of Agriculture officials and relocated to Cork for rehabilitation.
Noel Carlton, head of operations at the Donkey Sanctuary, said that sadly the rescue came too late for one of the animals, with the other donkeys forced to live next to its rotting carcass.
Speaking to Patricia Messenger on her C103 ‘Cork Today’ show, Mr Carlton said that it was only a matter of time before the other animals would have “pretty much starved to death.”
“They were suffering from malnutrition so their body conditions were very low. Also, their hooves were extremely overgrown and as we were going through each of the donkeys we discovered other things, for example some had not been wormed. They were in a completely sorry state altogether,” said Mr Carlton.
He said that given the hardy nature of donkeys it was difficult to say how long they had been living out in the open field, exposed to the elements without access to food or running water.
Mr Carlton said that in addition to being malnourished and severely underweight all had difficultly walking because of their long hooves, with at least two of the donkeys were found to have lamintitis, an extremely painful inflammatory hoof condition.
“Donkeys are unlike horses or ponies in that their hooves are quite soft and soak up moisture. This means that instead of bending and breaking, they continue to grow in a curved shape which, if not treated, forces the donkey to walk on its heels. The pedal bone will eventually poke down through the foot, causing excruciating pain,” said Mr Carlton.
“Donkeys are naturally stoic creatures so often when you see them plodding along with long hooves they look fine. But, when we get to them and feel their limbs they are almost red hot from the pain.”
Mr Carlton said it was not unusual for the Sanctuary, which currently cares for some 1,800 animals, to encounter large groups of abandoned donkeys. He cited one recent example in Newmarket where he came across 19 donkeys living in what he described as “deplorable conditions.”
He said that people often buy donkeys with the intention of breeding or selling them on.
However, in recent years the market value for donkeys has plummeted and as a result people often hoard them in the hope that the market will pick up.
“But in the meantime some people won’t care for the donkeys and their condition becomes deplorable over time. For example, it can cost €200 to get a donkey gelded, but people are not willing to pay that if the animal is only worth €10 or €20.”
Mr Carlton said that authorities had launched an investigation in this particular case and that, “fingers crossed”, they would be able to find those responsible for “putting these donkeys in such a bad condition.”
Thankfully, this is one story with a happy ending as the donkeys are now being treated and rehabilitated with a view to finding them new homes for the remainder of their lives.
“Donkeys love living in homes and bond like pets, similar to the way dogs and cats do. We have a dedicated re-homing programme that will help people through the process. This will give us space to rescue more donkeys,” said Mr Carlton.
He said this was just one way that the public can help fund the Sanctuary’s work, which is heavily reliant on donations and fundraising.
“We would be delighted for people to help us in any way. That is what we really need to keep our operation going.”