Three donkeys have been rescued after being left abandoned in a field in an “unimaginable” state of neglect and struggling to walk with overgrown, curved hooves.
Felix, Fia and Faye were discovered in a field near Enniscrone along the Sligo/Mayo border in Ireland.
The unkempt animals were found to be in a “severe” state of neglect with extremely overgrown hooves that had curved upwards, making it difficult and painful for them to walk.
The ISPCA came to investigate after the Donkey Sanctuary received a call from a member of the public, where senior inspector Kevin McGinley found the shocking state the donkeys had been left in.
The trio were rescued by ISPCA and the Donkey Sanctuary and taken to the National Animal Centre in Longford, where they have been receiving treatment and are showing signs of improvement.
ISPCA Centre Manager, Trish Spargo said: “Our dedicated animal care team have been monitoring the donkeys and we see small signs of improvement in their gait already.
“It’s really sad that they had to suffer so needlessly and it was distressing to see them in such pain when they first arrived.
“The level of neglect they would have endured over such a long time was unimaginable and could have so easily been prevented, with basic animal husbandry and routine care”.
For donkeys, regular hoof trimming by a qualified farrier is recommended every six to eight weeks, which would also identify any hoof problems and correct any issues along with good dietary management.
Inspector Kevin McGinley said: “Sadly these donkeys would have endured countless days, weeks, months and years of extreme discomfort, as a result of negligence by their previous owner.
“They had no quality of life as they been neglected for such a long time. They are in ISPCA care now and will receive the desperately needed farrier treatment, which they previously would not have known.”
The animals were not microchipped and registered as legally required but the ISPCA is currently investigating.
The donkeys will remain in ISPCA care until they have fully recovered and we will then go about finding them new homes.
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