Awards for working donkeys held in Paignton (From Smallholder)

Awards for working donkeys held in Paignton

8:50am Friday 27th August 2010 in

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On Friday 27th August, welfare officers from the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary will present a top regional award to the owners of a group of working donkeys in Paignton from 11am on the Green.

Julie and Peter Wibrow’s group of four donkeys are to be given the title of Best Group of Working Donkey (South West) by the donkey-welfare charity which is running a new ‘Working Donkey Awards’ scheme this year, helping to recognise owners achieving the highest standards of welfare for their donkeys in individual regions of the UK.

The awards given to donkeys working in recreational roles encompass certain criteria about the donkeys’ suitability for the job, temperament, general health, tack and turnout and all year-round living conditions. Lionel Ford, the Sanctuary’s regional welfare officer says: “These donkeys regularly provide donkey rides on Paignton Green. We feel this group deserve the South West’s top award because of their owners’ very high standards in the care they provide.” Whilst these four donkeys scoop their top award on Friday, Jasperin Clovelly, owned by Sue and Bart Kelly, will have received his award for Best Single Working Donkey (South West) on Wednesday. The award winners receive a rosette, shield and donkey goods which are supplied by local sponsors. Whilst the majority of working donkeys in the UK receive high standards of care, the same cannot be said for donkey taxis working in tourist hotspots in Mainland Europe or the millions being overworked in developing countries where they provide essential transport to millions of people living below the poverty line. Find out how The Donkey Sanctuary provides sanctuary from suffering to donkeys both at home and abroad by visiting: www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk