Donkeys dumped with 'soul-destroying' injuries

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.

"It is horrendous and heart-breaking that there are donkeys out there that have been abused in such a way," Gilbert said.

Mary was dumped on 20 March with the "worse case of cruelty and abuse" the sanctuary "had ever seen".

"It will take more than a year for her feet to repair," said Gilbert.

A week later, a black donkey was left at the site being "matted all over" and malnourished.

On Friday, another "very scared" donkey was dumped at the centre with a "nasty wound on the base of her tail".

Gilbert said she had reported the abuse to Cumbria Police.

"The cynical side of me thinks these donkeys are 'clear-outs', before they get seen, reported, die or they will need to spend money on them," she added.

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.