by Alan Jacques
A DONKEY foal is recovering this week after being tied to a skip and left for dead at a horse fair in County Limerick.
The five-month-old foal, which was abandoned in Galbally, has since been taken into the Donkey Sanctuary’s care in County Cork. He has been fondly named ‘Baxter’ by volunteers at his new home in Mallow.
Welfare adviser Katie Reed, who responded to the call by Limerick Animal Welfare commented, “This poor little foal was very distressed, standing in the rain and all tied up in ropes. He was very clearly frightened having been separated from his mum at such a young age and left all alone.”
“I’m relieved we could help and he’s now safe in our care and will hopefully make a full recovery. Fortunately he was abandoned in a public place and was spotted in the nick of time,” said Ms Reed.
Baxter is now reported to be doing well after having milk replacement pellets to replace his mother’s milk and to restore his strength.
“We have no idea who dumped him. It’s rare that we would in cases like this. Often animals aren’t microchipped, which means their owners are difficult to trace. He was quite thin when we found him.”
The Donkey Sanctuary has rescued 486 abandoned donkeys in Ireland between 2011 and 2013. Since it was founded in 1987, it has rescued over 4,200 donkeys and grown to be the largest equine charity in Ireland. For more information visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.ie.
