RESCUE donkeys are looking for a new home after being subjected to several vicious assaults.

Babs and JJ have lived in a field in Fleet Lane, Weymouth for more than a year but have been targeted in a series of incidents, their owner claims.

In separate assaults, Babs has had a rope wrapped tightly around her neck and JJ has had barbed wire tied around his leg.

Owner Julie Thorne, 49, fears they have been targeted after receiving a letter from West Dorset District Council over planning permission for the donkey’s shelter.

She said that Chickerell Town Council advised her she would not need to gain permission to build the shelter, but has since been told this is not the case.

She said: “I went to the Chickerell surgery last February and was informed that building the shelter would be okay and no further application was needed.

“I spoke to both the mayor of Chickerell and Coun Ian Gardener and they said it would be absolutely fine.

“No one told me I had to go to West Dorset District Council.

“The shelter was built in land that has housed horses for more than 20 years. Why are these donkeys suddenly the target of such hatred?

“I believe that someone must have complained about the shelter.”

Jean Dunseith, mayor of Chickerell, said: “The extent of my involvement was that I was asked to intervene and find out if planning permission was needed, which I did, and I then relayed that information to the family concerned.”

Mr Gardener said he was unable to comment on the issue.

Mrs Thorne, of Chickerell Road, said that she has been told it will cost £350 to change the use of the land, with no guarantee of permission, and that her main priority was finding the donkeys a new home.

She said: “They are rescue donkeys who have had awful lives and they cannot be without a shelter.

“We took them on because we just wanted to give them a really happy 20 years or so. They’re our pets. Last week when I came to the field, there was barbed wire wrapped around JJ’s leg.

“And I was shocked when I saw a rope tied really tightly around Babs’s neck. What has she ever done to deserve that?”

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said: “There have been reports of anti-social behaviour with donkeys being targeted in a field off Fleet Lane, Chickerell.

“Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police on 101.”

Mrs Thorne added: “They are friendly donkeys and always come straight over to the gate in the hope of getting a carrot. It is lucky we live so close by.”

Enforcement 'not necessary

Robert Gould, leader of West Dorset District Council said: “The structure at Fleet Lane was built without the required planning permission.

“However, in this particular instance, the district council does not deem it necessary to take enforcement action.

“If you are contemplating works on a property in West Dorset and are unsure of whether you need planning permission, please contact us.”