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Donkeys used at public events were underweight and had
overgrown hooves
A father and son who run a Liverpool based donkey business have been
sentenced in Court after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary
suffering to 5 of their donkeys.
Eric Wheeler, from Liverpool, and Ronald Wheeler, from,
Liverpool, pleaded guilty, on Monday, 5 June 2017, to 5 offences each of
causing unnecessary suffering to 5 donkeys by failing to address their
poor body conditions.
Ronald Wheeler also pleaded guilty to 3 offences of
failing to meet the needs of 3 of the donkeys, by not tending to their
overgrown hooves. A district judge at Liverpool Magistrates Court sentenced
Eric to a 2 month community order and Ronald to a 3 month community
order. They were also ordered to pay costs of ₤800.
Liverpool Magistrates Court heard that the 5 donkeys; called:- Pepper, Toby, Domino, Lily and
1 unnamed; were used in public
events such as fairs, nativity plays and parties. RSPCA inspectors Louise Showering and Claire Fisher, and
welfare officers from the Donkey Sanctuary charity, visited the donkeys,
on 19 February 2017, after concerns were raised by a member of the
public.
Inspector Fisher said:- "These 5 donkeys were
clearly underweight which had led to them suffering unnecessarily, as
well as having overgrown hooves which would have made walking
uncomfortable. One of the donkeys, Lily, was also suffering from rain
scald; a skin disease seen in equines; which was clearly causing her
discomfort. Eric and Ronald
Wheeler run a donkey business and should have known that five of their
donkeys required veterinary treatment. The suffering that these donkeys
endured could have been so easily avoided if they had been cared for
properly. Anyone who owns an animal, no matter how many, has a legal
responsibility to care for that animal and to ensure that they do not
suffer unnecessarily."
Hannah Bryer, senior welfare adviser for the Donkey
Sanctuary, said:- "5 donkeys came into our care last year
following an investigation led by the RSPCA. They were extremely thin,
with very little fat or muscle coverage of their spine, ribs and hip
bones. They also had overgrown hooves. The vet found that all five donkeys had been caused to
suffer unnecessarily as their owners had failed steps to investigate or
address their poor condition. All five donkeys have since improved in
our care after being provided with a suitable diet and any necessary
veterinary and farrier care. Keeping
donkeys can be a very rewarding experience but one which should only be
undertaken with the knowledge and commitment to care for them properly.
As commercial operators, the defendants held a position of trust, not
only to the donkeys in their care, but also to members of the public who
used their services. We hope these convictions serve as a reminder to
all that the welfare of donkeys used for commercial purposes is as
equally important as those kept privately as companion animals. The
Donkey Sanctuary continues to provide advice on donkey care and welfare,
in addition to guidelines for working donkeys, all of which can be found
on our website or by contacting the welfare department."
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