A vicious and senseless attack has left a mule dead at the São Francisco de Assis animal refuge in Loulé.
The animal that had been recovering well since it was taken in during the summer was beaten to death during the theft of a mare that had been removed by the authorities and placed in the refuge. A dog went missing at the same time and is presumed to have been stolen.
The intruders were caught on video surveillance cameras and the suspicion is that the mule was killed in some sort of bizarre and misplaced revenge attack for the loss of the mare.
Images recorded in a September break-in at the refuge provided the GNR with sufficient evidence to identify those who stole a mule and a cart which later were recovered and returned them to the kennel. In the video last night, no faces are visible.
The attack took place between 21:00 and 22:00 on Monday night at the refuge that is no longer staffed overnight due to ‘hygiene issues.’
Liló Krandonk who runs the kennel said that there have been many attacks on the facility whcih only has a fence for protection, but that this was the first time there had been any violence.
"We have received many animals sent by the GNR, mainly donkeys and mares that are removed from the gypsy community. It seems that the mule was killed for revenge. It was covered in blood and the animal has many wounds," Krandonk said.
The mule had been taken to the refuge by its owner, a member of the gypsy community, who asked the institution to take care of the animal.
"She said she could not take care of her animal anymore, but she went to the kennel every week to see how the mule was and brought her carrots," said Krandonk.
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