Source:  News Release/Emma Gill

New council connection brings hope for Mijas donkey taxis

Donkey tourist taxis in Spain who have been subject to years of neglect can look forward to a brighter future following a recent successful meeting between international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary and the new Mijas councillor in charge of domestic and farm animals.

Donkey taxis are a familiar sight in Mijas, southern Spain, with an estimated 67 donkeys carrying tourists up and down the steep slopes around the hillside village each day.  The Donkey Sanctuary has been campaigning for a number of years to improve conditions for these hard-working animals, and is delighted to have the new councillor’s co-operation and support in making this a reality.

Among the measures agreed to improve donkey welfare are a new code of practice for donkey owners which will be enforced by a system of fines, and free training courses run by The Donkey Sanctuary for donkey owners to help them understand how best to care for their animals.  Local police and government vets will also be offered this training to help them in their daily work.

Andrew Judge, The Donkey Sanctuary’s Head of Operations for Continental Europe, says:

“Our campaign to improve the welfare and working conditions of donkey taxis in Mijas began in 2004.  We are really pleased that eight years of campaigning is coming to fruition, and we are delighted to be working with the new councillor to make real and enforceable improvements in the welfare of donkeys working as tourist taxis in the area.  We hope that the partnership between the charity and the local authority will increase awareness and understanding, and significantly reduce key issues such as overloading and the lack of adequate access to food, water and shelter.”

For further information about the work of The Donkey Sanctuary in Europe, please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/europe.

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