Thanks to the quick intervention of animal welfare officers and volunteers from the rescue organization DonkeyLand, Cupid was captured and operated on.
“Right now, she’s stable and can stand—that’s a huge improvement,” said Chad Cheatham, vice president of DonkeyLand. Once Cupid is fully recovered, she will join a herd of rescued donkeys at the organization’s 800-acre sanctuary.
Series of attacks on wild donkeys
The incident is the latest in a series of bow-and-arrow attacks on wild donkeys in Southern California. Since June, at least six animals have been injured or killed, allegedly by recreational hunters . DonkeyLand has now offered a $24,000 reward from donations for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.
The Riverside County Animal Control Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The agency is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects.
Symbolic animals of the Southwest
Wild burros—descendants of pack animals from the Gold Rush era—are federally protected in the American Southwest. In Moreno Valley, they have long been an integral part of the landscape. According to Cheatham, they even help with fire prevention by grazing dry grass in hard-to-reach canyons. “Firefighters love them because they say, ‘These guys can go places we can’t,'” says Cheatham.
But not all encounters between humans and animals are peaceful: Wild donkeys are frequently involved in traffic accidents or injured by fences. In neighboring San Bernardino County, they are therefore increasingly being relocated to protected areas.
Appeal to the public
Animal rights activists are now hoping for tips from the public. “These attacks are cruel and senseless,” said Cheatham. “The donkeys are gentle and provide an important service to the community.”
The attacks in Moreno Valley involved broadhead arrows, traditionally used hunting