A farmer has been handed a 10-year ban on owning donkeys and horses after two animals were euthanised due to their suffering in his care.

Campbelltown resident Albert Sauer was also handed a fine of £300 after he pleaded guilty of ‘unnecessary suffering’ to eight donkeys.

Two of the donkeys were put to sleep by the Scottish SPCA after the 86-year-old allowed their condition to deteriorate to the point where their death relieved them of their suffering.

In total, 11 donkeys were removed from Mr Sauer’s care, and after the two were put down the remaining nine animals were given to international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary to be cared for properly.

The Herald: Most of the donkeys had feet so badly deformed they struggled to walkMost of the donkeys had feet so badly deformed they struggled to walk

Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “Cases like these are extremely distressing and highlight the terrible neglect that sadly some donkeys continue to experience in Great Britain today.

“Donkeys require caring and compassionate management to ensure they lead healthy and enriched lives.

“They are incredibly stoic animals by their nature, often the true extent of their suffering is misunderstood, however there is no doubt in this case that the suffering and pain endured by these donkeys would have been noticeable to anyone.”

The main form of neglect for the animals came in the lack of care for their feet.

Most of them had feet so badly deformed they struggled to walk. Some were underweight and had bald patches on their coats.

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Examining vets concluded the hooves had become so overgrown that some donkeys would be unable to bear weight properly again, and others were also found to have lice infestations.

Scottish SPCA inspector Yvonne Inglis, who led the investigation, said: “This is without a doubt the worst case of equine neglect I’ve come across.”

“All it would have taken to save these donkeys from months of pain and suffering was regular foot trimming from a farrier. There is no justification for allowing the health of these poor donkeys to deteriorate to this point.

“Thankfully, The Donkey Sanctuary stepped in to offer support and have been providing them with care and treatment in the right environment. They are all in a much better, happier place now.”

Now the donkeys are in the care of a qualified sanctuary, they are returning back to full health, and some are on special diets to nurse them back to a healthy weight.