A donkey has been brutally murdered by teenagers in the village of Torreorgaz in the Spanish region of Extremadura. The news has shocked the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary and its Spanish counterpart now plans to take full legal action against the culprits.

El Refugio del Burrito, based in Fuente de Piedra is a Spanish registered charity, and part of the UK-based Donkey Sanctuary, dedicated to the care and protection of donkeys and mules.

Staff at the refuge were devastated to hear how a young female donkey died in the early hours of Saturday 31st October after being repeatedly kicked, and more disturbingly for having objects inserted into its bodily orifices causing great internal damage, which then led to a fatal heart attack.

Ivan Salvia, General Manager at El Refugio Del Burrito says: “This cruel act is incomprehensible and we hope to find justice for the poor donkey concerned. The owner is just as devastated as we are.”

El Refugio del Burrito now plans to lodge an official condemnation to the local government of Extremadura to start the legal proceedings. The charity also hopes to gather support from the general public to campaign for animal protection laws to be fully enforced in future.

To support El Refugio del Burrito in their campaign, please visit the El Refugio del Burrito website.