Video: Autistic kids’ plea for a new home for their donkeys who could face being put down

A Pleasley family are sending out an SOS to find a field where they can give their four donkeys a home.
Emily Hessey, 8 hugs newborn foal Beauty. The Hessey  family  of Pleasley are looking for a field to home their four donkeys.Emily Hessey, 8 hugs newborn foal Beauty. The Hessey  family  of Pleasley are looking for a field to home their four donkeys.
Emily Hessey, 8 hugs newborn foal Beauty. The Hessey family of Pleasley are looking for a field to home their four donkeys.

Paul Hessey , 54 his wife Lisa and their family of six moved into their home with one acre of land last year.

But they were given notice to quit by their landlord and their new garden is not big enough to house their furry friends.

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Paul, 54 told Chad: “Three of our children have autism and we bought three donkeys for them as autistic children like animals and respond really well to them.

Emily Hessey, 8 hugs newborn foal Beauty. The Hessey  family  of Pleasley are looking for a field to home their four donkeys.Emily Hessey, 8 hugs newborn foal Beauty. The Hessey  family  of Pleasley are looking for a field to home their four donkeys.
Emily Hessey, 8 hugs newborn foal Beauty. The Hessey family of Pleasley are looking for a field to home their four donkeys.

“They are really excited when they come home from school and we have pupils from the school come to feed them.

“Our intention was to learn the children to ride them as they are really easy to train.

“The kids have become attached to them - they roam around the garden and put their heads up at the door.

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“When we bought them they were in a bad way but now their fur has grown and they have changed so much and now they are really friendly.

“It has taken us a year to get them to where they are.

“They would be really upset if we had to part with them now,” said lorry driver Paul, who has retired after developing crippling arthritis.

“We have been searching high and low - I have looked everywhere around the Mansfield area to rent a field for them and I am drawing a blank.

“It is really stressful for everyone , especially the kids.

“But it looks like we may have to sell them on or have them put down. It is heartbreaking.

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“We can’t think of anything else to do and we would be very grateful if your readers could help us.”

He said the donkeys, new born foal Beauty, Cinnamon year old foal, Cocoa and Biscuit, need a field around an acre upwards, with a shelter or room for one to be built.

The field would preferably be in the Mansfield Shirebrook and Pleasley area within 10 minutes driving distance.

If anyone can help, Paul can be contacted by email at raabitt6969@icloud.com

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