Mablethorpe Beach Donkeys - Disgraceful Condition thread pulled?

I have been off line for a few days so was horrified when i saw the original thread had been pulled. i also feel naming the vet which i did may be the reason. This has really annoyed me as East Lindsey told me who the vet was and even gave me his contact details...it is not a secret.
I have phoned the councillor for Mablethorpe who had the decency to respond to my ansaphone message within hours...not weeks as emails might. There does seem to be a little glimmer of hope as he was concerned about the donkeys welfare and agreed that the tack was not good enough. I explained that Mablethorpe are the only donkeys not signed up to the donkey agreement which he said was not surprising and is not a good image for his town to promote. I am not going to post his contact details but if you go to east lindsey website you will find links with his number if you want to contact him...the more people who complain directly the better. Emails in the modern world work..THEY DO NOT IN EAST LINDSEY! sorry but i think the way forward is direct communication, emails are to easy for them to ignore.
I also told him about the vet and his response to my phone call and he has agreed to look in to it...i cannot say anymore for fear we get pulled again.
This according to the councillor is the best time to complain as it gives the council time to look into everything before re licencing. He has had to deal with this operator for several years and it seems Dallas manages to do just enough at the right time but then lets things slide again. Keep phoning everyone involved and hopefully between us all we might get the lives of these hard working little donkeys improved.
 
hopppydi, you have been an absolute star! I would appreciate it if you would pm me the name of the particular councillor you spoke to - I would like my feelings known too and vent a little!
 
As my post before, concerned also what happens to the donkeys in the winter months if they have no shelter as donkeys do not have waterproof coats like horses....
 
Say if the donkey owners lose their license, what would happen to the donkeys? I'd like to think they'd get rehomed, as they obviously wouldn't be earning their keep anymore, not that they seem to gain much from the work they do anyway!
 
delliam said:
As my post before, concerned also what happens to the donkeys in the winter months if they have no shelter as donkeys do not have waterproof coats like horses....
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Don't know about the donkeys in mablethorpe but I'v probably got 2 from skegness coming to stay with me for winter, waiting for the owner to ring back with details!
 
bumblelion said:
Say if the donkey owners lose their license, what would happen to the donkeys? I'd like to think they'd get rehomed, as they obviously wouldn't be earning their keep anymore, not that they seem to gain much from the work they do anyway!
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The Donkey Sanctuary are involved but are remaining very tight-lipped about the situation. They could be an option or the owner my well re-apply for licensing or sell them on.
 
I have always found it better to ring very pleasantly to get through before venting:D they receive hundreds of emails but can only talk to one person at a time on the phone and don't have time to make up some sob story as to why they can't do something. If they say they will look into it and ring you back get a day and possible time.;)
 
Don't forget under the freedom of information act you can request to know the number of complaints, details of the licensing and so on and there is a time limit for the Council to get these things to you. Most Councils also have a time limit for replying to letters and emails, might be worth getting hold of their customer service team and finding out what this is in their case.

I visited the beach the weekend before last and was very upset at the sight of what appeared to me to be an underweight, stiff and elderly donkey working all day. I asked the operator what time they left the beach and was told another lot came on at 5.30pm but local residents say that this is not so and these donkeys stay on the beach until late.

I was upset that they "rested" wearing full tack and worse still, the reins were hooked over the pommels so their necks were held in a stiff position and their mouths were pulled open. Reminiscence of "Black Beauty" and the bearing rein. A couple of the saddles were squiffy and I could see no shelter on the beach from sun or wind. Is this an image that Mablethorpe Council are keen to portray? I cannot understand why Mablethorpe are not aspiring to having the very best conditioned beach donkeys that they can rather than just fulfilling the minimum of requirements. If Council officials don't know what constitutes good management then surely they could approach the Donkey Sanctuary who I am sure would spend time explaining management and care to them. Surely excellence is what they want to achieve?
 
redriverrock said:
I know this is a very old thread but sadly despite everyones best efforts this situation has not improved and is still ongoing 3 years later! There is a facebook page that needs support...please if you have a little spare time take a look.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-condition-of-Mablethorpe-Beach-Donkeys/249344921760691
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I follow the Fb page. It's the awful tack which gets me, they look like they're wearing old battered horses' saddles enormously too big. They just look so uncared for. :(
 
they look uncared for because that is exactly what is happening and has been ongoing for far to long now. I do not know anyone who lives in and around Mablethorpe who sees these donkeys who thinks any different...apart from the vet it would seem who every year pass's them as fit to work despite lots of evidence to say otherwise. One of the donkeys who had to have teeth removed as they were rotting has been able to turn back time and be 17 years of age for the past 2-3 years?? but still the poor thing is working and certainly looks alot older than 17...East Lindsey council are a disgrace who keep hiding behind 'the vet says they are ok' b***s*** these donkeys are over worked, poorly provided for and neglected :(
 
Hi, a bit confused by this, is it H&H thread taken off or FB? Either way, where are the RSPCA in all this, as they are a charity paid for by the Public, does the Public not have a right to expect them to take action. I'm sure there's a law about causing unnecessary suffering to animals or similar. Some of the photos appear to be bordering on cruelty to me!
 
Not sure about the Mablethorpe Donkeys but for years we had two for the winter I think it is common practice for them to go to private homes for their winter care I always got into trouble for over feeding them :) and sending them back fat but they happily turned up year after year. Cant do it now as pay per head and short on extra funds but I hope some of you with land will volunteer to take a few for the winter they are a joy to have around but they do need a warm stable and shelter from the wet and cold
 
Could people who have seen these donkeys all report the vet for incompetency, if he's signing the donkeys as fit for work when they're not then surely he isn't doing his job properly?

Or if the donkeys owner is getting them fit for work for the time of the vet inspection but then letting them deteriorate, can he be reported for breaching the terms of the licence that was granted?

Is the system really so bad that its a case of fit healthy animals being passed at inspection but with no requirement to maintain that? If so, perhaps it needs MPs to be asked to change the law.
 
Lots of good ideas...thanks. I know it seems suspect that something that is apparently so obvious can have been going on for so long but here in East Lindsey la la land I have discovered that the normal rules dont seem to apply to everybody. This group of donkeys have an appaling life which is barely covered up but the owner year after year seems to just do enough when the time comes for his licence to be renewed and there is def' corruption involved but i cant say anymore than that at the moment. These donkeys are the only working donkey in the uk not signed up to the working donkey welfare checks. :(
 
DragonSlayer said:
Maybe calling the 'head vet' people could help, ya know, those who have the power to ban the vet practising? Get them out to have a look!
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Lifted off Facebook:

An answer to DragonSlayer from the H&H Forum - The Chief Vet was sent a letter explaining about the poor condition of these Beach Donkeys and the letter was answered by a man from DEFRA. Phone calls, emails and letters were also directed at DEFRA and the only answer we eventually got from them was that though they make the rules about animals and farming they do not have anything to do with enforcing these rules and regulations. Communication was also made with the Environment Agency but because they had not received any complaints about this business they would not be doing anything. Any suggestions on how we may help these donkeys would be very welcome.
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Well, you could try the Daily Mail, with a Liz Jones expose (sorry, my keyboard hasn't got a grave accent key. Or should it be acute . . .?) all journalistic requirements there already. Neglected furry animals, fond childhood memories, dastardly cruel owners of sad furry animals, fraud, council co-conspiritors, vet involved in dodgy dealings. Officialdom turning a blind eye and/or dodging clear responsibility for animal welfare.
Or the local press could be stirred into a righteous fury, surely? " The Council that lets Donkey Suffering Continue For Years".
Might be worth it. Also complaints to the Environment Agency about the "business". In sack loads.
Presumably, it is nearing the end of the donkey rides season: anyone know where these poor souls go in the off-season?
 
This was sent in response to my lawful request under the freedom of information act for the criteria the council use when deciding who gets the donkey licence...it does not make for good reading but shows how the council operates :(
Dear Ms Hopkinson,

I am replying to your emailed enquiry dated 8 September 2014.

You will be aware that before the start of the season beach donkey operators must obtain a licence from the Council to show their donkeys are fit to work, and have adequate insurance cover. Also, applicants for a donkey operator’s licence must show that they have sufficient experience. Formal qualifications are rarely held but as beach donkeys are often family businesses, years of on-the-job experience is not unusual.

The pre-licensing inspection takes two parts, examination of the donkeys and tack, then the safety aspects. While most of these are obviously veterinary tasks, a Council Officer will be present during the inspection so they can gain an overall impression of the operation and discuss any problems as they arise with the vet.

There is not a specific document that I can give you in relation to this licensing process. But the majority of our decision making process will be lead by the vet's report.

Normally, all of our donkey operations will be subject to a visit or visits by Council Officers during the season.

Regards

Adrian Twiddy - Principal Licensing Officer

Licensing Section
East Lindsey District Council
Room 6, Tedder Hall, Manby Park, Manby
Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 8UP

Tel: 01507 601111 ext. 3011
E: adrian.twiddy@e-lindsey.gov.uk
Website: www.e-lindsey.gov.uk
 
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