"Absolutely no quality of life."

Six donkeys and two ponies have been rescued from "terrible" living conditions in Co. Donegal. The equines had been living in a shed with no room to lie down, contaminated bedding, and no feed available to them. The animals were in poor condition, with some of the donkeys being very thin with caked faeces on their coats. Others were were infested with lice, while the hooves of some of the donkeys had been badly pared making it difficult for them to walk. The equines were seized by the ISPCA, a Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine official, and local Gardaí and transported to ISPCA rescue centres for care and rehabilitation. “It’s tragic that these animals had absolutely no quality of life," said ISPCA senior inspector Kevin McGinley. "It appeared to me that the feet of the donkeys had been neglected for some time and that somebody had cut the hooves prior to the ISPCA visiting. "It was a hack-job and clearly not done by a competent person. Farrier care is a specialised skill and should not be attempted by anyone without appropriate training." An investigation into the neglect is ongoing. The animals will be rehomed once they are fully recovered.