Stolen Blackpool donkey ‘could die of broken heart’ if not returned, owner says

A former Blackpool donkey stolen from a field in Wales ‘could die of heartbreak’ if he is not returned, his owner has warned.

A £1,000 reward is being offered for the safe return of Winston, a 20-year-old retired Blackpool donkey, who was reportedly taken from a field in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in Wales on December 9th.

Both Winston and his companion Rudy were purchased by their owner Amy Doran’s family when they made the move from Kent to Wales.

Ms Doran, 39, says that Rudy has been ‘pining’ for Winston and warns that donkeys can die of separation distress.

The elderly donkey went missing from a field in Taliaris when Amy and the family were away for the weekend.

She feared somebody had taken the ‘very trusting’ Winston to use in a nativity play or for something similar in the run up to Christmas.

She said: “What the person probably doesn’t realise is that donkeys can die from separation, they can die from a broken heart. 

“They don’t realise the after-effects.”

Ms Doaran’s four-year-old daughter Bella has issued a photo appeal holding a sign with a plea to bring Winston home, which reads: “Dear Santa, this Christmas please bring my donkey home.”

The mum said her daughters Bella and three-year-old Gracie were ‘absolutely devastated’ by the theft of a much-loved family pet.

“I don’t care if somebody dumps him in a field. All I care about is getting him back,” she added.