Safety for seven Worcestershire donkeys

Teddy, Charles, Isla, Barbie, Heather, Isabelle and Ruby all had overgrown hooves, lice-infested coats and were living in squalid conditions when our Donkey Welfare Advisers Hannie Buckley and Tewsday Herbert, and Senior Donkey Welfare Adviser Georgia McCormick, arrived at their site.

The operation, which involved The Donkey Sanctuary, RSPCA, World Horse Welfare and West Mercia Police, was executed at Little Meadow Animal Rescue in Stoke Bliss, near Tenbury Wells, in March 2022.

The donkeys lived in a small field outside a static home that housed more than 30 animals, including dogs, rabbits and a pheasant. The animals were crammed into one room, some in cages and others wandering loose.

Hannie says: “It was obvious the environment wasn’t suitable for the donkeys that lived on the site. There was a lack of grazing, a cramped tin shed for a shelter, and several hazards and debris in their field.

“The donkeys were walking around broken barbed wire fencing, junk, scrap metal and old vehicles. There were ample opportunities for the donkeys to injure themselves on these hazards.”

Heather, the oldest donkey in the group at 15, caught Hannie’s eye immediately. She had overgrown hooves and was walking uncomfortably. We later discovered that she was pregnant.

“Heather had a small ten-month-old colt named Teddy,” Hannie adds. “Teddy was still trying to suckle from her.

“Another donkey, Barbie, looked as if she had rain scald. The persistent deluge of rain had caused sore, bald patches to appear on her dishevelled winter coat.”

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Isla and Isabelle, eight, were both heavily pregnant and had overgrown hooves, lice-infested coats and looked uncomfortable on their feet.

Georgia says: “The environment was wholly unsuitable for the number of animals on the land.

“The majority of the donkeys’ shelter was filled with junk and hazards, and was accessed through a small, low hole in the side, which was dark and uninviting.

“The donkeys did not have any clean, dry forage to eat and what forage there was trampled into wet mud. The donkeys were allowed to breed, which added to the numbers.

“This resulted in increased competition for what resources there were on the small site.

“On closer examination, the donkeys were found to have lice in their fur, and their long feet had caused some to walk abnormally.

“These donkeys had been brought to this sanctuary for care and rehabilitation, yet were kept in poor conditions with no obvious attention or thought to their needs.”

A new start

After safely loading the seven donkeys onto our donkey transporter, they were taken to a nearby holding base.

All the donkeys received veterinary checks and had their overgrown hooves attended to by a farrier. Their coats were treated until they were free from lice. They also received daily handling to help boost their confidence.

Isla and Isabelle gave birth to healthy foals shortly after arriving at the holding base, while Heather welcomed a filly foal named Sue into the world months later in January 2023.

Hannie says: “Harry was born three days after Isla arrived at the holding base. Isabelle gave birth to Henry the next day!

“It was a relief that the donkeys foaled in safe, warm and dry surroundings rather than the cramped, dirty shelter they once knew.”

A brighter future

The future now looks much brighter for Teddy, Charles, Isla, Barbie, Heather, Isabelle and Ruby.

Georgia adds: “We are grateful to the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare and West Mercia Police for their efforts in this investigation.

“This was a collaborative operation that thankfully resulted in a happy outcome for the donkeys.

“During their time at the holding base, we got to know these donkeys more and plan for their future. We have recently been delighted to match three pairs of donkeys with Donkey Guardian homes.

“Ruby and Barbie, Isla and Isabelle, and Charles and Teddy will all soon reap the benefits of living with our dedicated Guardians. We can’t wait to update you on their progress.”

Heather hasn’t yet been matched for rehoming, but we hope that she will become eligible in the near future.

The donkeys’ owner was sentenced to eight months in prison at Worcester Magistrates’ Court in December 2022. He was also handed a lifetime disqualification order for all animals after pleading guilty to eight offences under the Animal Welfare Act.