Posted online: Jan 11th, 2012

By Anna Devine
A donkey called Bobby, who suffered one of the worst cases of animal cruelty ever seen in Donegal, has inspired a petition to highlight the need for better animal cruelty laws in Ireland.
Volunteers from DDS found Bobby last Friday, severely malnourished in the old coast guard station building near the Fanad Lighthouse following a tip-off from the public. He passed away at around 7am on Saturday morning.
Mr Danny Curran, manager of Donegal Donkey Sanctuary, told the Post, “there is a lot of cruelty to donkeys and we are here to help stamp it out.”
And he added: “He was found in an old derelict building lying in 18 inches of slurry with nothing for him to eat.”
Now the ‘Justice for Bobby’ campaign is underway to challenge outdated animal cruelty laws. The DDS hopes to change the fact that there is no requirement for ear tagging of equine animals (horses and donkeys) in Ireland and therefore no traceability. It is also very hard to get a conviction for animal cruelty.
Mr Curran said he would be bringing the petition to the Minister for Agriculture at Leinster House by donkey and cart.
Mr. Curran believes that the donkey was trampled on by cattle as it lay on the floor of the building. The vet confirmed the donkey had early onset of pneumonia also as a result of exposure.
DDS received a tip-off about two donkeys in the building but only found one. Mr Curran said, “we are still trying to find out what happened to the other donkey.” According to the tip off, the donkeys had been there through the summer months.
When asked why the donkey would have died the day after being rescued Mr Curran says they were just contacted far too late. “A lot of people are scared to contact us until things get really bad. Then we have the other extreme of getting called too early.”
The DDS promotes education about donkeys. If you are thinking of getting a donkey, you should get in contact with them for advice on how to look after them.
Mr Curran said that, “People sometimes don’t realise the cost associated with getting a donkey. They sometimes need a vet and they have to be housed and fed and people start to cut corners. For example if they have overgrown hooves – it affects their overall body health.”
Gardaí are investigating the death of Bobby and members of the public who have any information are urged to contact the Gardaí.
To sign the petition click here: http://www.petitiononline.ie/petition/the-donegal-donkey-sanctuary-wish-to-announce-their-justice-for-bobby-campaign/1411