Donkeycarecrete's Blog

Over a period of only 10 days we have come across 4 cases of cruelty to donkeys here in Crete and it appears that nothing can be done and nobody will exercise their authority.

 

Case number 1

Whilst visiting a village as part of our outreach work we came across a very sad case. This little donkey had 2 very long feet but the main problems was its back feet. They were twisted 90 degrees and rotated so that when you look at what should be the front of the hoof you are actually seeing the underneath, the sole.

 

  

 

 

The owners of this donkey are still riding and working this donkey. It was obvious it was in extreme pain.

The owners said they would not think of putting this donkey to sleep unless they had another one to take its place – and they had no money.

Case number 2

Gianoula’s story can be found in an earlier blog – these are her back feet

The owner has been asked by the GAWF farrier and vet and the local vet to euthanase her. He refuses. They are dragging her around from tree to tree where she is tied.

She is getting no pain killers.

The ministry vets for the municipality have looked at the photos and refused to come out to see her. They say she is not in pain.

 

Case number 3

Unfortunately Gianoula’s owner also has 3 other donkeys. Here are the first two. They too are doomed to  pain and suffering when they get ill.

And here is the third. She has collapsed with the intense pain of colic.

The owner agreed to call the vet. The vet did what he could to save the donkey but it was obvious that this old girl was not going to get better. She had also damaged a leg when she fell down.

We returned the next morning to find the donkey dying. The owner was trying to drag her around on her rope to change her position bending her back legs out of natural position as he did this. He again refused euthanasia for the donkey. The vet visited later that afternoon and administered more pain killer. (free of charge as the owner will not pay him).

This donkey may still be alive and in pain.

The owner loves his donkeys and will wait until they die naturally. That is ‘God’s will’.

Case number 4

We found this donkey tied in the field like this. The owner agreed to treatment of his teeth. We advised the owner that this was not a good way to tie a donkey and we hope that he will use the new headcollar instead.

If this owner agrees we have said we will give this donkey a new home at our donkey sanctuary before it is too late for him

If the donkey continues to be tied like this with thin rope he will suffer great pain from tendon damage.

 

There is no authority here to deal with these cases of cruelty. No RSPCA. No animal rescue police. We are dealing with people and even some vets themselves who do not believe in euthanasia. Preferring to let the donkeys suffer.

We at ‘walkwithdonkeys’ are powerless to do anything.

We are hitting our heads against brick walls and meanwhile these donkeys are suffering.

Please remember these are only the donkeys that we know about – there will be others out there.

donations to help our rescue donkeys can be made at www.walkwithdonkeys.com