Three donkeys have been abandoned in what an animal sanctuary has described as the “worse case of cruelty and abuse” it had ever seen.
Linda Gilbert, from Barnhill Donkeys Retreat in Sleagill, near Penrith, said it was “soul destroying” after the last of three abused donkeys in only two weeks was dumped at the centre in the early hours of Friday.
Gilbert said it was a “miracle” that one of them was still alive. She added the donkey – now named Mary – had not been able to walk due to the condition of her feet, was malnourished, and had lice eating into her skin.
Last month the sanctuary said it was struggling to care for its donkeys after experiencing a sudden influx of dumped unwanted animals.
