The Donkey Sanctuary is pleased to report signs of improvement in the welfare conditions of the donkey used in [this year's] Peropalo Festival in Spain after years of campaigning.

Previous festivals have centred around a donkey being led through the narrow village streets by an inebriated local, through disorderly crowds, some of whom are firing shotguns. The Donkey Sanctuary became aware of the festival in 1986, and has been campaigning against the use of donkeys in Peropalo for over 25 years. So staff are pleased to report that some of their recommendations have taken effect thanks to the support of the Mayor.

Veronica Sanchez, Country Manager at The Donkey Sanctuary in Spain, attended the event [last month] and has sent this report:

“The organisers tried to keep a distance between the donkey and the crowd, although it is difficult because they all are drunk. The police also stopped them from using a rope to pull him. They made a symbolic act with the rope, as if they were pulling the donkey. In the stops they made during the walk to show willing, they gave him apples and carrots, as well as water, which shows things seem to have improved a little bit”.

As in previous years the evidence gathered by The Donkey Sanctuary will be presented to the Spanish authorities.

This year The Donkey Sanctuary has liaised with the mayor of Villanueva de la Vera, who asserts that the province complies with the animal welfare laws. Three representatives from El Refugio Del Burrito were on hand to gather information and photographs to support this.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to the promotion of the overall welfare of the donkey; the charity continues to campaign for actions which protect donkeys and mules and promotes their welfare worldwide.