Crows were eating them alive
TWO donkeys needed emergency medical care after they were discovered emaciated with open wounds and ears missing.
Donegal Donkey Sanctuary told the Donegal News that they are in a horrific state after crows were “eating them alive” and warned that donkeys’ rehabilitation will be like “coming back from war”.
The donkey with no ears has been named Madeline and the weaker mare has been named Susie.
Sanctuary co-owner Danny Curran told the Donegal News: “A member of the public contacted us. They sent a few photos but the reality was much worse.
“We contacted gardai and the vet. Both donkeys are really bad. One has no ears and the other couldn’t even stand up.
“It was on the ground in its own faeces, it has three open wounds, and crows were eating it, picking at its flesh. The wounds are bigger than an adult male’s hands.”
Sanctuary co-owner Danny Curran examines Madeline the donkey, who has no ears.
Susie the donkey.
He added: “We have no idea why the donkey has no ears. The vet looked at them and saw there was no infection and we have left it at that for now.
“They have been through enough. We haven’t even counted their teeth to find out how old they. They’re not able for that stress right now.
“We will examine Madeleine’s hearing later. A lot of people are angry. Their hooves are badly overgrown.
“When hooves are like that, the donkey cannot stand properly and it ends up damaging its legs.
“Susie was so weak and is so much pain that she could not walk. She was lying on the ground. There was plenty of grass, but she couldn’t move to eat it.
“So the birds were just attacking her on the ground. Her skin is going to be sore and tender for months.
“It is going to take a long time to get them right. Their road to rehabilitation is like coming back from war.
“The veterinary bills will stretch us. We also have other donkeys that need care.”
The sanctuary issued a video of the donkeys to show Susie struggling to stay on her feet as she is led from the horsecart.
Sanctuary co-owner Sandra Curran said in the video: “It’s just absolutely awful. Madeleine is just the most beautiful girl. She is a sweetheart.
“The second donkey is much weaker. The crows have just utterly attacker her. They have been eating her alive.
“The poor girl is scared. Crows made a huge hole in her back. It’s terrible, oh my goodness. She was defenceless, it’s horrible.”
A vet is to check how badly affected is Madeleine’s hearing.
In an online appeal, a Donegal Sanctuary spokesperson said: “We had to race to two souls in desperate need. The situation which met us was just horrific.
“Both donkeys have horrendously overgrown hooves. Shockingly, one mare was missing both of her ears. It is just the most horrific sight.
“The other donkey was in even worse condition. She was so weak that it had been attacked by crows and was unable to defend herself in any way.
“She had to lie there enduring terrible pain. She had three open wounds on her body where the crows had been eating her as she lay helplessly enduring extreme pain.
“We are very grateful to the gardai and the vet. Both will need extensive veterinary treatment if they are to survive.
“Please help in any way that you can. No donation is too small.”
Bighearted animal lovers from the across the county have donated close to €23,000 within days.
Donegal Donkey Sanctuary has cared for hundreds of donkeys since it was set up in 2010 and is currently looking after 82.
Donations can be made on the Emergency Rescue Appeal DDS gofundme.com website.