Donkeys given second chance after major rescue operation

More than 70 donkeys rescued from a farm in Wales in a major multi-agency operation can now look forward to a brighter future.

The RSPCA-led operation was carried out in conjunction with The Donkey Sanctuary, World Horse Welfare, the British Horse Society, Bransby Horse Rescue and Welfare and two veterinary surgeons from Redwings. It is one of the largest and most complex operations that The Donkey Sanctuary has ever undertaken.

Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the farm in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire in February 2021, as part of an investigation into concerns for the welfare of dozens of animals at the location.

Two independent vets also attended the address along with Dyfed-Powys Police officers who executed the warrant.

There were around 100 equines on site, and following veterinary examinations, 72 donkeys and one horse were taken into possession by police.

One donkey, which was examined by one of the vets on site, was put to sleep by the owner’s own vet on welfare grounds.

One of the attending vets in a statement said: “The severely overgrown hooves were very easy to see by a lay person and the owner should have sought both veterinary and farrier attention to this.

“A responsible horse and donkey owner should be expected to provide farrier treatment every four to eight weeks minimum.”

One skewbald female donkey – known for court purposes as S1 – had been found in a barn, which was “an unsuitable and unsanitary environment for the donkey to be kept in”.

The vet statement added: “The donkey had overgrown hooves with the left forehoof being deformed and twisted. 

“The hoof was chipped off and the laminae were exposed. There was white line disease and thrush in all four feet due to lack of adequate hoof care and lack of suitable environment.”

Another donkey – a chestnut roan female mammoth known as S4 – was also found in the same barn.

The vet statement said: “The right forehoof was rocking laterally due to the overgrowth. The right hind was rocking backwards onto the heels due to the length of the hoof. The left hind was curling up.”

S4, who was weight shifting on her limbs when stood still, was given pain relief to travel to The Donkey Sanctuary.

Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary said: “A moment that will forever stick in my mind on the day of the warrant was when the doors opened to one of the barns, and the faces of about 20 donkeys were staring back at us from the darkness.

“They were filthy and standing in dirty conditions. Some of the donkeys had very overgrown hooves and were lame.

“Cases like this are never easy to witness and are a stark reminder of the welfare challenges facing donkeys in Great Britain today.”

A new start

Of the equines discovered at the owner’s farm, 71 were placed into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary. The horse was taken in by World Horse Welfare, but now is in the care of the RSPCA.

Our teams worked closely to identify the individual needs of each donkey, many of whom needed extra support, treatment and specific management. We look forward to sharing stories of the donkeys’ progress with you in the coming months.

Since the donkeys came into our care, 20 foals have been born to the mares in the group who were pregnant when they arrived.  

Owner handed suspended sentence

The donkeys’ owner appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 20 September, where she pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

The offences were that she caused unnecessary suffering to 24 donkeys in that she failed to ensure adequate hoof care for them, and she did not take steps to ensure the needs of 22 donkeys and a pony were met in that they did not provide them with a suitable environment.

At sentencing on Tuesday 11 October at Swansea Magistrates Court she was handed an 18-week prison sentence – suspended for two years – with an additional requirement to attend 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

She was banned from keeping equines for 10 years, and was ordered to pay £1,000 prosecution fees and a £128 victim surcharge. A deprivation order was made for all the animals.