These two poor donkeys have been effectively abandoned to their fate on this exposed, unpopulated Atlantic island with no shelter, no supervision and no supply of proper feed, all in direct contravention of the Animal Welfare Act 2013 and of the Animal Welfare Guidelines for Horses, Ponies and Donkeys, issued by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council.  One of them is suffering from a respiratory condition which, if left untreated, will likely lead to its death. The local Agricultural Vet has been aware of this situation for many months but has failed to act.  If left on the island, I believe it is unlikely they will survive the winter.

I saw the donkeys myself when I visited the island in June and was very disturbed by their plight.  Since then, I have seen sight of these heart-rending extracts from a letter sent by another visitor to the island at a time when the island was hit by a storm -

" I would often look out to see the donkeys huddled against the old stone ruins of the Blasket village in an attempt to get some shelter. However, with no roofed structure and no hard ground anywhere on the island, their efforts always proved futile - after the storm had passed, I would find them soaked through and shaking."

"...the older of the two has developed a significant wheeze which can be heard from some distance. When I went to give her a carrot...., she excitedly began making her way toward me before having to stop due to breathing difficulties."

In July, 2019, The Donkey Sanctuary gave them some attention and assessed that they should be removed but the owner did not cooperate. 

We call on the Minister to take action to oblige The Agricultural vet to fulfill his duty to uphold the Animal Welfare Act and provide protection and care for these animals before it is too late.

Please help to apply pressure to the Agricultural Vet for West Kerry by emailing him at kerrydvo@agriculture.gov.ie

Thank you!