Six donkeys and two ponies found in horrific conditions have been rescued by the country’s leading animal welfare charity.
The ISPCA has said the discovery is the second largest equine rescue in Co Donegal in just a number of weeks.
The animals were discovered living in sheds without feed and caked in faeces while some were also infested with lice.
The equines were seized as a result of a joint operation involving ISPCA Senior Inspector Kevin McGinley working with a Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine official, and also assisted by local Gardaí.
The ISPCA have said the living conditions inside the sheds were so bad that the animals had nowhere clean to lay down, only on contaminated bedding.
When examined by a vet, the hooves of some of the donkeys had been badly pared, resulting in lameness and discomfort as they tried to walk.
All equines were scanned for a microchip but none of them were identifiable as is a legal requirement.
They were seized under the European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations and transported to ISPCA rescue centres for care and rehabilitation as investigations continue.
ISPCA Senior Inspector Kevin McGinley said it appeared the donkeys had been neglected for some time
He said: “It’s tragic that these animals had absolutely no quality of life.
“It appeared to me that the feet of the donkeys had been neglected for some time and that somebody had cut the hooves prior to the ISPCA visiting.
“It was a hack-job and clearly not done by a competent person.
“Farrier care is a specialised skill and should not be attempted by anyone without appropriate training.”
The ISPCA said their animal care team is very concerned about one of the donkeys and he is being closely monitored as they wait on test results.
Despite seeing a small sign of improvement, the animal has a very long way to go and they hope he has the strength to make a full recovery.
The equines will remain in ISPCA care along with many other animals until they have fully recovered and staff will then go about finding them new homes.
Since no identification documents were produced the animals will be available for rehoming when they are fully recovered.
