An animal charity has expressed shock at the "neglect and abandonment" of 20 donkeys in Galway amid what it called the "significant challenges" caused by a deepening animal welfare crisis in Ireland.
The Donkey Sanctuary, a not-for-profit organisation which operates in Liscarroll, Co Cork, said that one of the donkeys abandoned in Galway had already died and four others had to be euthanised on health and welfare grounds.
Four pregnant mares and three foals arrived at the sanctuary in March after a complex rescue operation. The remaining eight were later re-homed.
In the past two weeks, eight donkeys were rescued and rehomed following intervention from the charity's welfare advisers.
Donkey Sanctuary Ireland Director Laura Foster described the Galway case as a "significant" if not "unexpected moment".
"We have been talking publicly for some time about the unsustainable demand for our welfare services, which now far exceeds our capacity for sanctuary-based care.
"With over 1,700 equines in our care, we must be able to focus on caring for their needs, as well as doing what we can to prevent and end suffering in the community.
"Although we expect the Galway case to be the last time we are able to bring new donkeys in to our care for the foreseeable future, we will be as busy as ever providing support, advice and rehoming services to donkeys across Ireland," she said.
Ms Foster said that prevention and legal deterrents are the only sustainable solution for all agencies involved in animal welfare.
"We will be increasing our education and support activities to reach as many donkeys as we can. However, this work can only be effective alongside robust law enforcement, which is why our relationship with government veterinary inspectors, the gardaí, and the ISPCA is so important.
"We must also tackle the donkey population issue through castration and effective end-of-life decision-making. Too often, we see suffering that could have been prevented or stopped much sooner.
"Unfortunately, had we been contacted a lot sooner this (the Galway) case could have been dealt with. Intervention is a key step to a positive outcome."
