International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary is saddened to report that today a donkey has once again been forced to endure torment and abuse in the carnival of Peropalo in the Spanish village of Villanueva de la Vera.

In spite of the many people who petitioned against the festival, and the efforts of The Donkey Sanctuary and other welfare organisations in Spain, Extremadura authorities have, yet again, turned a blind eye to the carnival and the suffering of a defenceless donkey.

A spokesperson for El Refugio del Burrito, The Donkey Sanctuary’s centre in Spain, said:

“We find it incomprehensible that the suffering of an innocent animal can amuse people. But it is obvious that this is the case. Yet again, a donkey has been forced to walk the streets carrying its rider, practically dragged by a drunken crowd who shouted and fired guns around him. The mob forced the donkey to keep going, even though it fell to the ground twice through exhaustion and fear.

“We will continue to campaign for existing animal rights laws which supposedly protect animals from this kind of cruelty to be enforced and for future carnivals to take place without the use of a donkey.”

The Donkey Sanctuary would like to thank all their supporters worldwide for their messages of support and letters petitioning the Spanish authorities. The charity will continue to campaign to bring an end to the unnecessary suffering of donkeys and mules and will support any action which protects their welfare worldwide.

Further information about the carnival of Peropalo can be found online at www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk and www.elrefugiodelburrito.com/en.

For an interview, further information or images, please contact The Donkey Sanctuary press office on 01395 573097/573014, mobile 07970 927778 or via email.