CONVICTED (2022) | donkey breeder Zoie Celena Burton, born April 1983, of 142 Heol Llanelli, Pontyates, Llanelli SA15 5UH – for cruelty to 24 donkeys one of whom had to be put to sleep.

Zoie Burton, co-owner of breeding business Donkeys of Wales with her mother Lynn Burton, who was not prosecuted, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

These were that she caused unnecessary suffering to 24 donkeys, by failing to ensure adequate hoof care for them and failing to provide a sustainable environment for 22 donkeys and a pony.

Burton was prosecuted following a multi-agency operation in February 2021 where 72 donkeys and one horse were taken into possession by police on welfare grounds..

There were around 100 equines on site during the warrant execution – and following veterinary examinations, 72 donkeys and one horse were taken into possession by police.

One donkey – a rare mammoth named Sue – was crippled by laminitis. After being examined by one of the vets on site, she was put to sleep by the owner’s own vet on welfare grounds.

In one barn, a skewbald female donkey was found with “deformed and twisted” overgrown hooves.

The vet statement said: “There was white line disease and thrush in all four feet due to lack of adequate hoof care and lack of suitable environment.”

A chestnut roan female mammoth donkey was found in the same barn, with its “right hoof rocking laterally due to the overgrowth.” She was weight shifting on her limbs when stood still, and was given pain relief to travel to the donkey sanctuary.

The donkeys were placed into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary, and the pony is now in the care of the RSPCA.

Following more than a year of patient rehabilitation, many of the donkeys are thriving, although some continue to require specialist care and treatment.

Since their arrival, 20 foals have been born to the pregnant mares among the group.

Sentencing | 18-week prison sentence – suspended for two years. 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days; £1,128 in costs and victim surcharge. 10-year ban on keeping equines.

Wales Online
South Wales Guardian

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Additional Information

We are advised that Zoie Burton was prosecuted by the RSPCA previously though no details of the case are available.

Donkeys of Wales (DoW) made the local papers in January 2020 in relation to the mis-selling of a pony named Arthur. DoW were ordered to pay £459 in compensation to a couple after they bought Arthur, who was misadvertised as a two-year-old colt in good condition. In reality, he was aged between 12 and 12 years and suffering severe dental problems.

Zoie and Lynn Burton have apparently been breeding and selling pygmy goats in the months leading up to the former’s conviction. They have several different usernames on various selling sites. Including Coco1960 and Poo Bear.

Known aliases for Zoie Burton are Nerys Rhys and Paula Howells.

Her partner Luke Alan Rees is also believed to be involved with DoW.

Useful resource: Donkeys of Wales: The Truth.

Trust Pilot reviews of Donkeys of Wales.