Equines rescued from starvation in Italy
Image: The Donkey Sanctuary
Welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary has expressed outrage after a group of 100 equines, including many foals, was found starving in Italy. The animals belonged to an equine trader, who had left them without food or shelter in Colleferro, forty miles from Rome. The fields in which they were found contained the bodies and bones of countless horses and donkeys that had already starved to death.
The Donkey Sanctuary has confirmed it has rescued 15 donkeys, 9 mules and a hinny from the site, after the situation was reported to the authorities. All 15 of the donkeys are severely underweight, and many have painfully overgrown hooves. The Italian authorities are beginning legal proceedings against the owner and have reportedly asked The Donkey Sanctuary to care for the animals.
The charity have confirmed they are in the process of organising emergency shelter and veterinary care. They are also working in collaboration with the Italian Horse Protection Association to arrange care for the rescued horses. The Donkey Sanctuary operates an Italian sanctuary, Il Rifugio degli Asinelli, which is based near Turin. Once the prosecution case is complete, this sanctuary will become the permanent home of the group of rescued donkeys, mules and hinny.
Andrew Judge, manager of European operations at The Donkey Sanctuary reported from the scene: "Too many times on this trip I have been shocked with the cruelty we faced.
"Today I saw a large number of dead equines spread out on the land and buildings in front of me. It was shocking to think that these beautiful animals had just starved to death and been left where they fell for scavengers to eat them.
"I felt ashamed to be human today and angry at the indifferent people who see these problems every day but do nothing."
The donkey population in Italy is estimated to be 24,000. They are used largely for producing milk and meat, and as transport for rural families and tourists.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
