The Donkey Sanctuary based in Sidmouth has been able to help Adolfo, a Mexican man, by providing life-saving treatment to his mule which he relies on to carry out his daily tasks.

Adolfo who was walking the hour long trek back to his village in the remote area of Tlacomulco in the Mexican state of Morelos, with his three mules, when one of them was struck by a lorry. Adolfo had no choice but to leave his mule at the side of the road as he has little money and there are no facilities in the vicinity.

On the day of the accident, one of The Donkey Sanctuary’s mobile teams, who are based in Mexico City, were passing by and were able to treat the mule thanks to the usual supplies carried, including medication, bandages and even an X-ray machine.

Amanda Gordon, PR Officer for the charity says: “I met up with Adolfo at his home during a visit to Mexico and I could see that he had no choice but to leave his mule at the side of the road. It was heartbreaking and made me appreciate all the facilities that we have around us and take for granted – there really was nothing he could do.

“The wounds the mule endured on his left hind quarter were absolutely horrific. Luckily, though, our team was able to save the mule’s life. Adolfo is so thankful; without our help he would not be able to use his mule which he relies on to transport wood from his village in exchange for basic goods such as sugar and soap.

“I thought it was quite sad that Adolfo’s mule didn’t have a name but life in Mexico is really different to here in the UK – the donkeys and mules are used like a car to carry goods so that their owners can survive.”

The Donkey Sanctuary has been working in Mexico City and the surrounding areas since 1984 and is based at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). As the objectives of The Donkey Sanctuary are restricted to treating donkeys and mules, the charity works in partnership with World Horse Welfare (WHW) as so many horses are also in need of help.