Newborn donkey tortured and killed before body dumped in paddock

The little foal was just two weeks old (Picture: Stichting Het Ezelpaleis)

A two-week-old miniature donkey was stolen before being tortured, shot dead and dumped back in the paddock where she vanished.

Pleuntje, a rare reddish-coated filly, disappeared from a donkey sanctuary on Monday evening.

Six people searched for the tiny animal for hours before returning at first light, but found no trace of her. Yet the following afternoon, Pleuntje’s body mysteriously appeared in the same paddock; staff said they had searched dozens of times.

She had been shot through the chest and suffered horrific injuries to her neck, legs and eye. Owner Marlhene Mouws believes thieves climbed over a fence and lifted the foal into a waiting vehicle...