Donkey rescued from abattoir gives birth to foal

Finty, who was saved from an abattoir, recently gave birth to a foal named Sammy

A neglected donkey saved from an abattoir by a Cornish animal sanctuary has given birth.

The Flicka Foundation said Finty had arrived at the Penryn sanctuary a year ago in a bad way.

She had been neglected for many years and was about to be taken to the abattoir, along with her companion donkey Frieda, following the death of her owner, said the charity.

Flicka director Judy Giles said it had been an "incredible privilege" to witness the "miracle" of Finty giving birth to a healthy foal, despite her previous neglect.

The sanctuary said Finty was "so attentive and gentle" with her foal

Ms Giles said staff had not known Finty was pregnant when she arrived at the sanctuary as it could take some time for donkeys to show signs due to their long gestation period.

The charity said it was possible she had previously been used as a breeding animal.

Describing the condition of the rescued pair, the charity said they had been emaciated, dirty, suffering a skin condition and had difficulty walking due to deformed and overgrown feet.

Frieda recently died despite receiving specialist care, the sanctuary said.

Finty had to be monitored closely while she recovered and throughout her pregnancy, but is now thriving at the sanctuary and has safely given birth.

'Witnessing a new life'

Ms Giles said: "Even though Finty's foal wasn't planned, the miracle of witnessing a new life born is just an incredible privilege.

"Seeing Finty so attentive and gentle with her new foal is amazing, but a stark reminder of the cruelty that many of the rescued donkeys at our sanctuary have suffered."

Finty's foal was named Sammy, after the grandson of the charity's ambassador, Dame Judi Dench.