'Neglected' UK donkey unmoved by help

Scottish animal welfare officers called to an incident of donkey neglect were surprised to discover the creature was a life-sized garden ornament.

The Scottish SPCA isn't sure if the caller was a practical joker or a short-sighted passer-by who thought the donkey was real.

The ornament, owned by Reverend Georgie Baxendale, has starred in several nativity plays over the years and is kept in her garden.

Animal welfare officers were called out to investigate on Tuesday when the charity received a call to its helpline.

"The caller stated the donkey was kept in the back garden of a house in Airdrie and tied to a fence without any shelter," senior inspector Bill Little said.

"The donkey is made of fibreglass and goes by the name Joshua. He used to be kept at the side of the house and could be seen by people walking by, so it's possible someone called us as a practical joke.

"However, it may be that someone was genuinely concerned as it is a rather lifelike model."

It's not the first time the Scottish SPCA has experienced a case of mistaken identity.

An officer in Aberdeen was called to a report of owl neglect a couple of years ago, but when he arrived he discovered the distressed bird was in fact a plastic garden water feature.

In 2012, the charity was called to rescue a snake lurking in a loft in Aberdeen, only to find part of an Adam and Eve Halloween costume.