SWEP fully supports the action being taken by

 'El Refugio del Burrito' and 'The Donkey Sanctuary'

in trying to stop these barbaric events.

WE HOPE YOU WILL ALSO SUPPORT THEM!

                              Websites:          http://www.elrefugiodelburrito.com  or   http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

                              Email:  elrefugiodelburrito@dsspain.e.telefonica.net or   enquires@thedonkeysanctuary.com

                              Telephone: (00 34) 952 735 513 (English Speaking)     or                      01395 578222

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The following is an e-mail sent to SWEP by Judy Welsman (European Welfare Co-ordinator for the 'Donkey Sanctuary' on 17th November 2006).

Thank you so much for your kind support. We are very pleased at the amount of correspondence and calls we have already received supporting us. It all helps to strengthen the resolve to do our utmost to help donkeys throughout the world.

Since discovering the event the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary’s Spanish subsidiary (El Refugio del Burrito) has been searching for a suitable animal welfare solicitor to try and enforce a law which it believes states it is illegal to use a donkey in a bullfight.

We are keeping a record of the comments and support we are getting which we hope will help strengthen any action we endeavour to take. If any of your members would like to write/email directly to me with their comments I will be able to add them to the list which I will then forward to our Sanctuary in Spain.

Ivan Salvia, El Refugio del Burrito’s Spanish welfare officer says:  “We’ve been in touch with a solicitor from PACMA (Partido Antitaurino Contra el Maltrato Animal) who are a political organisation that campaigns against the mistreatment of animals.  They are joining forces with El Refugio del Burrito and The Donkey Sanctuary to help denounce those responsible for the donkey’s abuse.

We are busy preparing all the videos, photos and documentation as evidence so we can have the case ready as soon as possible.   As El Refugio del Burrito, which is funded by the British public, is a registered Spanish association, we hope it carries a great deal more influence from within the country.

Once again, thank you very much indeed.

Direct Line: 0044 (0)1395 573010

Email: judy.welsman@thedonkeysanctuary.com

BLINDFOLDED DONKEY IN BULLFIGHT

A blindfolded donkey was left to fend off a raging bull during a Spanish bullfight, news which has left a Spanish animal welfare association outraged and now seeking legal advice.

El Refugio del Burrito, which is part of the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary in England, discovered

the event had taken place after a spectator posted their video on the YouTube website on Sunday 12th November; a bullfight using a donkey had been held in the village of Navaluenga, about 90km north of Madrid on September 11th.

But it was only on Monday, when Ivan Salvia, the association’s Spanish welfare officer, was searching the site for any donkey related stories or events, that he discovered the bullfight video.

The footage has left the association disgusted. Ivan Salvia was shocked. He says: ‘I could not believe what I was seeing on this video clip. There are very strict rules and a code of a practice for bullfighting; the use of donkeys is not allowed.’

‘We think many of the spectators could have been children too, you can hear them laughing, screaming and cheering on the video – it is so disappointing – they are the animal owners of the future.’
 

‘We believe what took place was illegal and we are now seeking legal advice here in Spain.’

El Refugio del Burrito and The Donkey Sanctuary aim to prevent the unnecessary suffering of donkeys and provide permanent Sanctuary to any donkey in need of refuge in the UK, Ireland and Spain. To find out how you can help or to send a donation to help support its work.

© typicallyspanish.com

EL REFUGIO DEL BURRITO NEWS STORIES

OUTRAGE AS DONKEY IS USED IN BULLFIGHT

Issued: 14th Nov 06

A blindfolded donkey was left to fend off a raging bull during a Spanish bullfight; the news has left a Spanish animal welfare association outraged and now seeking legal advice.

El Refugio del Burrito, which is part of the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary in England discovered the event had taken place after a spectator posted their video on the YouTube website on Sunday 12th November; a bullfight using a donkey had been held in the village of Navaluenga, about 90km north of Madrid on September 11th.

But it was only yesterday when Ivan Salvia, the association’s Spanish welfare officer was searching the site for any donkey related stories or events that he discovered the bullfight video.

The footage has left the association disgusted, Ivan Salvia was shocked. He says: “I could not believe what I was seeing on this video clip.  There are very strict rules and a code of a practice for bullfighting; the use of donkeys is not allowed.

“We think many of the spectators could have been children too, you can hear them laughing, screaming and cheering on the video – it is so disappointing – they are the animal owners of the future.

“We believe what took place was illegal and we are now seeking legal advice here in Spain.”

BULLFIGHT EVENT SPARKS LEGAL BATTLE (16 Nov 06 Spanish News)

Issued: Thursday 16th November, 14.46pm

Outraged by a bullfight which left a blindfolded donkey to fend off a raging bull, we are currently gathering evidence to ‘denounce’ those responsible for holding the barbaric event.

Since discovering the event El Refugio del Burrito, which is part of the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary in England, has been searching for a suitable animal welfare solicitor to try and enforce a law which it believes states it is illegal to use a donkey in a bullfight.

Ivan Salvia, El Refugio del Burrito’s welfare officer says:“ We’ve been in touch with a solicitor from PACMA (Partido Antitaurino Contra el Maltrato Animal) who are a political organisation that campaigns against the mistreatment of animals. They are joining forces with El Refugio del Burrito and The Donkey Sanctuary to help denounce those responsible for the donkey’s abuse.

We are busy preparing all the videos, photos and documentation as evidence so we can have the case ready as soon as possible.

I am deeply saddened to say that this is not an isolated incident and, in line with our mission to prevent the unnecessary suffering of donkeys, we will be taking similar action against those responsible for any other bullfights which use donkeys.”

In the UK, the story has sparked outrage amongst The Donkey Sanctuary’s supporters and the general public.

SPAIN contacts: Paul Svendsen, Director of European Operations – 00 34 659 287 280 or Ivan Salvia, Welfare Officer - 00 34 669 505 703

 UK Press Office:Call Dawn Vincent 01395 573097 / 07970 927778 or Amanda Gordon 01395 573014