Donkey dragged by a tractor may help save local shelter - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Abused donkey may help save local shelter

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New information about a case of animal cruelty in Sandusky County. A donkey that was dragged behind a tractor is making a remarkable recovery and his story may help save the local Humane Society.

So far, people have donated thousands of dollars, and while that's a lot of money, it may not be enough to save the Humane Society of Sandusky County in the long run. Shelter leaders say it's a great start and like Henry they're going to keep fighting to survive.

The scrapes along his side and the deep gash on his eye tell the story of Henry's abuse. According to cruelty investigator Kelly Askins, Henry was dragged for more than a mile behind a tractor as his owner was moving him from one barn to another, "She tied two donkeys to the back of a tractor to lead them home. He fell down and hit his head on a rock. She stopped the tractor and got him up and got going again, but he fell down a second time and she just drug him home. She said to me they know they have to keep up with me, I didn't have time to wait around."

Those caring for Henry say he's made great progress and he is expected to make a full recovery. Humane Society of Sandusky County Board President Joanne McDowell says so far people have donated about $9,000 dollars after hearing Henry's story, "The bigger cases that get us a lot of media attention are a blessing in disguise because we get donations that help us keep the doors here open, but we are now having to dig into our savings and we're looking at December to be it for us and when we're not here I don't know what will happen to these animals."

It takes about $10,000 a month to run the Humane Society of Sandusky County and while the recent donations have paid a lot of bills, closing the shelter is still a possibility, "We keep crossing our fingers and praying every day that something big happens so that we can stay open and serve the animals."

McDowell says the shelter has enough money to stay open through the end of the year, but they will have to raise a lot more money to keep it going in the long term. Henry's owner is facing fourteen counts of animal cruelty. Investigators seized 13 other animals from her including horses, donkeys and goats.

 

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