Aramis, Athos, D'Artagnan, Porthos and Musket:
2011, Three donkey stallions, ARAMIS, ATHOS and D’ARTAGNAN were found abandoned in a forest near Coolaney, Co. Sligo.
As they had been placed behind the second set of gates out of public view, and well behind a forestry notice stating clearly that any animal found grazing forestry lands would be immediately confiscated, we had no problem bringing them away, with the help of the Gardai. (How we wish more owners of forestry and private lands would display such notices!).
Aramis, Athos and D’Artagnan (right)
The donkeys were a little undernourished, full of lice and had extremely overgrown hooves, the like of which we haven’t seen for 15 years.
These three were quickly followed by two more mature stallions, relinquished from Co. Mayo as an unwanted gift. We kept the theme and called them PORTHOS and MUSKET.
Musket (left) and Porthos (right)
Obviously they had to be kept at a separate farm from our main herd of old mares and geldings and, as they were all big lads, we asked if another animal welfare organisation would take them so they could have the benefit of a hospital environment for their castration operations.
Their transfer took time, partly because they are only 5 of almost 300 donkeys this welfare organisation has taken in this year so far, but also because, as they were of unknown origin, blood tests for certain potentially dangerous equine diseases were required before transportation. With so many equines being dumped from dubious circumstances it is essential to protect the healthy donkeys from the introduction of potentially fatal diseases.
