WEIGHT LIMITS MUST BE PUT IN PLACE FOR THE LONG SUFFERING DONKEYS FORCED TO CARRY WEIGHTS TOO GREAT FOR THEM

WEIGHT LIMITS MUST BE PUT IN PLACE FOR THE LONG SUFFERING DONKEYS FORCED TO CARRY WEIGHTS TOO GREAT FOR THEM

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Just imagine … you are on holiday with your family or friends, it's a blistering hot day. You want to enjoy every moment. You can see locals standing with their donkeys, encouraging you to "enjoy", "ride the donkey". What do you do? Most, with NO consideration for these gentle beasts choose to add to their holiday fun and climb on, or be assisted on by some huffing and puffing and standing on crates.

What happened to common sense? Empathy?

This ISN'T an attack on "big" or "obese" people. It is a petition to set weight limits. If people fail to realise they shouldn't be causing already overworked donkeys further unnecessary burdens by being forced to carry weights that exceed the acceptable, we will have to do it for them!

An average donkey of approximately 11 hands high or 160 kg can carry up to 50kg (8 stone) on its back or can pull up to twice its bodyweight on level ground.
Donkeys can easily carry 30% of their body weight in live load and 20% in dead weight.
Some variation can be allowed for time and distance, as heavier loads can be carried for shorter times over shorter distances.
How many times have you seen this weight load exceeded?

http://www.ed.ac.uk/files/imports/fileManager/donkey%20fact%20sheet.pdf

https://donkeywhispererfarm2010.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/what-is-the-weight-limit-to-ride-a-mini-donkey/

Donkeys are typically slow to mature and should not be ridden until 3 or 4 years of age while any hard riding should be avoided until they're at least 5 or 6. These animals may look physically mature at age two or three but stressing their skeletal system before they are fully mature can have limiting consequences to their usefulness. 

There needs to be one person per animal, the rider needs to match their weight to the animal.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1176270/Give-donkeys-rest-Plea-visitors-tourist-site-cruelty.html#ixzz4HpyWb7oe

Padding prevents wounding and a frame makes loading easier; front and back straps prevent problems on slopes. Quite often though, harnesses etc. are poorly fitted and not well made. This causes rubbing, bleeding and open sores, which in turn are not treated properly. The donkey is not rested or allowed to recover; instead it is forced to continue working in pain.

Before working, donkeys should be allowed at least one hour of eating before they start work. It is not efficient to use a donkey for more than 3 hours without a rest. Again, this is not usually observed, the donkeys are forced to work all day.

Donkeys can live for 25 to 35 years of age. However, donkeys in third world countries seldom live over 10 years. Donkeys are very affectionate animals and enjoy the companionship of people. Donkeys need companions or they will become very depressed.
If you choose to ride a donkey and you are OVER THE ACCEPTABLE WEIGHT LIMIT, YOU ARE COMMITTING ANIMAL ABUSE! As is the owner of the donkey for allowing it.
It can be called nothing less! Fines should be imposed.

There are always options, sadly because of human nature, some options cause more problems than they solve.
For example, make scooters available …… these would need to have rules applied. (Can you imagine the behaviour and accidents caused by those choosing to act without care!)
Make walking sticks an option.
Just maybe though, …. If you are too big (remembering people from the western world are of a bigger frame) or if you are unable to walk, perhaps leave the trip until you are physically able to enjoy it without causing needless suffering to these donkeys that have no option but to endure! Or just skip the donkey ride.

This targets ALL countries that use donkeys as transportation.

Please sign and share our petition and make comments or suggestions.

** Photo credit: PIXABAY

Please read petition letter.

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/sites/sanctuary/files/document/413-1377171749-code_of_practice.pdf

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/14640/beasts-of-burden

http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_facts/Donkeys.htm

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/14640/beasts-of-burden