Welfare concerns over beach donkeys

BRIDGEND council has confirmed that animal welfare officers have been inspecting Coney Beach in Porthcawl following concerns aired over the welfare of donkeys.

It comes a year after donkey rides were temporarily suspended following similar concerns about the animals voiced to the RSPCA.

A spokesman for the council confirmed that donkey ride operators were spoken to last week.

He said: “Initially, the donkeys were not being afforded enough protection in terms of shade, so officers questioned the operator on this and requested that all animals be kept under the shade when they are not operating. Further unannounced visits have since been undertaken, and the animals have been found to be kept under the shade on each visit.

“They were also in good condition and weren’t in any distress. The operator is providing water to the animals via a mains supply which is piped to a large blue storage drum.

“Unfortunately, the drum used looks the same as the litter bins on the beach, so many people have mistakenly assumed that the drum is a litter bin when it is in fact a water container.

The council confirmed the operator agreed to provide more water containers which will be a temporary measure as they look to install a water trough. It was also agreed that additional netting will be erected to provide more shade.