The Flemish Government Animal Welfare Inspectorate has conducted the seizure of around 20 donkeys, in the village of Moorsel (in the Tervuren municipality), using the services of a veterinary surgeon. ROB-tv indicated that the Inspectorate had opened an investigation having received five complaints.
The donkeys were placed in an animal shelter and are now being treated in the town of Leefdaal. Giovanni Persoons, from the centre De Zorghoeve, asserted, “The animals are not at all well.” He said, “When found, they were malnourished and were outside on pasture land, without any shelter. There was neither water nor hay available to them. Their hooves had not been cared for, and had not been looked after by a farrier for years.”
In the meantime, the police have drafted a statement and the owners risk a hefty fine. Mr Persoons says that the owners will be able to recover the animals after payment of all costs, and complying with the measures imposed by the Flemish Government Animal Welfare Inspectorate. Alternatively, the animal reception centre will seek a new home for these donkeys.
The Brussels Times