The poor things have no shelter in this bitter cold weather. Weather that has already seen two snowfalls since Oct 15 and temps down in the single digits. Those poor donkeys, their personal pets, are stuck in the backyard in these horrible conditions, conditions that neither man nor beast should have to suffer.
Several years back, Bernalillo County mandated that livestock MUST have shelter if kept in small areas, in other words, if they are not out on the open range but are kept in paddocks, etc. At the time, I spoke against increasing animal rights encroachments upon the property rights of animal owners. I still do not agree with the greatest part of the animal ordinance, but I can see the value of this portion, especially after seeing their animals suffer from being out in the elements.
In the past, the neighbors were cited for not having any shelters for the adoption donkeys. After being cited, they built some run-in sheds for that group of animals. However, those donkeys are easily seen by anyone traveling up and down County Line Road, whereas, their personal donkeys are kept in the backyard, which is hidden from the general public's view. So, their pets go without and their pets have been going without for several years now.
The poor things... They are out there in the rain, in the snow, in ice storms, etc. Their only shelter is provided by the lee of the house and that only protects from the north and west. If we get a sou'wester, the animals will be even more exposed to the elements.
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| Donkeys Out in the Rain, Summer 2013 |
Now it's cold and conditions are not dry. There is nothing worse than being cold & wet. I've seen the donkeys with icicles hanging off of them! Surely, that cannot be good for them. It is very sad.
Poor things....
