It is sadly ironic that on a day meant as a reminder of the season of penance, the people of a small village in Spain would so cruelly sin against an innocent animal.
Every year on Shrove Tuesday, the village of Villanueva de la Vera hosts the carnival of Peropalo, a drunken party for many, but a day of hell for a Spanish donkey.
The Donkey Sanctuary published an eyewitness account of this year's cruelty - how the poor creature was visibly terrified as, mounted by a drunken rider, it was forced through a surging crowd, with firing shotguns and clanging bells, subjected to dousing with wine and beer, until the poor exhausted creature collapsed in the street.
Not every time do these animals arise after such abuse. The Sanctuary has campaigned for 25 years to end these atrocities to no avail, despite the fact that the practice violates the region's own animal welfare laws.
Tell Spain to End These Shrove Tuesday Atrocities and Stop the Cruel Treatment of Spanish Donkeys.
We, the undersigned, are outraged that in the 21st century you would allow this kind of mindless, cruel treatment of an innocent animal - for entertainment.
That you would use a religious day meant as a reminder of a season of penance to act out such cruelty is even harder to understand.
We have nothing more to say than to plead with you to obey your animal welfare laws and end this heartless, senseless and cruel practice now and forever.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
