Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary involved in major animal rescue operation

The owner of the farm where more than 450 animals were kept in ‘harrowing’ conditions has been sentenced to twelve months in prison and given a lifetime animal ban, after pleading guilty to 25 offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.  

The sentencing took place on Thursday 18 September at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court. The Donkey Sanctuary was one of eight charities involved in the major rescue operation in November 2023. The RSPCA led the rescue alongside staff from Redwings, World Horse Welfare, Bransby Horses, British Horse Society, Dogs Trust and Beauties’ Legacy. 

The Donkey Sanctuary’s Head of Welfare and two Senior Donkey Welfare Advisers were among the 100 charity workers who attended the scene with Nottinghamshire Police, where over 450 animals of 19 different species, including 29 donkeys, were discovered in the most appalling conditions.   

Some were in such a bad state and suffering, they had to be put to sleep on site, including a female donkey who had a four-month foal at foot.  

Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “It was utterly heartbreaking to see the conditions and suffering these animals had endured. Our objective is always to do the best we can for any donkeys and mules. Sadly, in this case, one of the donkeys was so severely underweight and unable to stand comfortably due to lameness that the kindest option was euthanasia to end her suffering.   

“Her foal has since gone on to form a strong bond with other young donkeys, and we are working with the RSPCA to find them suitable new homes.”  

The operation led to the seizure of over 450 animals in total, including around 70 horses and donkeys, as well as dogs and puppies, guinea pigs and small rodents, cats, poultry, exotic birds, reptiles and three alpacas. 

On the day of the operation, the animals were found living in squalor in filthy hutches, sheds, outbuildings and barns, as well as two fields. The donkeys and horses had severely overgrown and painful hooves. Some were underweight and others had not received proper dental care nor any treatment for lice or thrush infections. 

The Donkey Sanctuary is working with the RSPCA to provide expert care and veterinary support for the donkeys, and to find them loving new homes. However, twelve of the donkeys have been left with such chronic hoof and health issues that they will spend the rest of their lives at the sanctuary where they can receive specialist care. 

Hannah said: “This case is another saddening reminder of the suffering donkeys and other animals endure when they are not given the care they need and deserve. We would like to encourage anyone who is struggling to care for their donkeys to reach out before things get worse.

“Our Donkey Welfare Advisers are available to support donkeys and their owners in all areas of Great Britain. Compassion and responsibility must go hand in hand when it comes to animal welfare and early support can make all the difference. 

“We have been working closely with the RSPCA to secure the best possible outcome for the donkeys involved. This means offering sanctuary to those donkeys who are unable to be rehomed in the community, while helping the others to find loving and long-term homes where they can be assured of a much brighter future.” 

RSPCA Inspector Laura Baker, who coordinated the operation, said: “We are grateful for the tip-off that highlighted how badly conditions had deteriorated at the farm, which meant alongside Nottinghamshire Police we were able to organise a rescue of over 400 animals with the assistance of our charity partners. 

“We are extremely grateful for their help over the two days. We split up into teams to deal with different species and all the animals were systematically health checked and then taken to safe accommodation, where many were treated for their ailments and have since made a good recovery. 

“Many of these animals have already been rehomed to enjoy better lives, both by the RSPCA and with the help of our charity partners.” 

Interested in rehoming? We are working with the RSPCA to find loving homes for some of the rescued donkeys, who will be rehomed in pairs.  If you think you can help, please apply via our rehoming page, referencing RSPCA REHOMING: https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/support-us/get-involved/rehoming-schem