A man from Gateshead in Tyne and Wear has been banned from keeping donkeys for five years after severely neglecting two mares.
Molly and Millie, who were mother and daughter, were unable to walk due to severely overgrown hooves, had not received dental care for several years and were both underweight when they were found in a field in Wylam near Newcastle last year.
David Donaghey admitted two offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and was given the ban during a sentencing hearing at Newcastle Magistrates Court on Thursday 27 February.
He was also fined £448 and ordered to pay £1,224 costs and a £179 victim surcharge.
‘Not terribly keen to move’
In March last year, RSPCA Inspector Ian Smith and a welfare adviser from The Donkey Sanctuary visited the field in Haggs Bank in Wylam after receiving reports regarding the welfare of two skewbald donkeys at the location.
“Both animals had overgrown feet and were sitting back on their heels due to the length of their hooves. They were not terribly keen to move,” said the inspector in a written statement to the court.
“I checked the field and could not see any shelter but I did find water for them. There were two bales of hay in the field but the donkeys were reluctant to go near the bales as they were witnessed to be bullied by the larger equines.
“Millie was in average condition with her bones easily palpable and a body score of 2/5 according to the Code of Practice for Equines and Donkeys. Molly was in a poor state with a body score of 1.5/5 with her bones easily palpable.”
Photos and videos of the donkeys were sent to an equine vet who confirmed the donkeys were in a suffering state. Molly and Millie were then taken into police possession and transported to a private boarding yard.
Long term neglect
“The hooves were severely overgrown and curled up at the toe, forcing the donkey to walk on a pivot as there was no correct weight-bearing surface,” explained the vet in a written statement to the court about Molly, who was believed to be in her teens.
“She had not received adequate hoof care for a minimum period of nine months, but likely longer, and this has caused her to suffer for a minimum period of six weeks but likely much longer.
“Hooves should be trimmed every four to eight weeks minimum by a farrier,” continued the vet. “This had not been provided by the owner.
“Her teeth were severely sharp and had not received any dental care in many years. This had caused marked ulceration to both sides of the inner cheeks and caused pain and suffering for many months.
“Equines should receive dental examination and treatment where required every 12 months minimum. Some equines require dental care every six months. This has not been provided by the owner.”
The vet told the court that Millie, who was approximately four years old, had not received adequate hoof care for at least nine months nor appropriate dental care for a minimum of three years.
Mitigating circumstances
In an interview with Inspector Smith, Donaghey said he was “devastated” and “embarrassed” about the situation.
He believed he had looked after the donkeys to the best of his ability and they had never shown any signs of lameness and were always the “greediest” and the first to feed.
In mitigation, magistrates were told that a farrier was due to see the donkeys but “had to cancel a number of times” due to the “weather,” and that references had been provided to say it was nothing more than “well-intentioned but incompetent care”.
Millie has made a full recovery and is still in the RSPCA’s care. Sadly, Molly died of colic at the boarding yard the following month.
Images © RSPCA.
