Shocking moment brave woman forces car to stop as it drags a terrified donkey along the road

This is the shocking moment a brave woman forced a car to stop after the driver dragged a terrified donkey along a road in Ireland.

Distressing footage shows the white donkey, with a rope tied tightly around its mouth and attached to the back of the car, being pulled along the road by the driver in Edenberry, County Offaly.

The animal was finally rescued after a heroine, an animal welfare volunteer who witnessed the shocking incident, screamed at the driver to stop the car.

Video, filmed by the witness who was walking behind the car, shows the donkey helplessly being dragged along the grass verge next to a main road.

Video, filmed by the witness who was walking behind the car, shows the donkey helplessly being dragged along the grass verge next to a main road

The donkey, which is unable to escape as the rope is tied tightly around its mouth and ears and attached to the car’s bumper, is seen hobbling along as it struggles to keep up with the vehicle

At one point, the donkey slips on the icy grass and struggles to keep upright as the woman, a volunteer with charity My Lovely Horse Rescue, screams at the driver: ‘F***ing stop, what’s wrong with you?’

The donkey, which is unable to escape as the rope is tied tightly around its mouth and ears and attached to the car’s bumper, is seen hobbling along as it struggles to keep up with the vehicle. 

The heroine can be heard screaming ‘stop’ as the donkey loses its footing again, its back legs skidding across the icy pavement as it is dragged along by the driver.

The terrified donkey can be heard neighing as it struggles to keep up with the car. 

The animal, its head outstretched and legs buckling under the force of the car, helplessly tries to escape from the rope’s snare by sticking its hooves into the ground but is unable to get enough grip.

At this point, the woman can be heard screaming at the driver: ‘F***ing stop, just stop!

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Finally, after nearly a minute of filming, the car finally comes to a halt and the heroine can be heard breathing heavily as she checks on the donkey’s condition. 

At one point, the donkey slips on the icy grass and struggles to keep upright as the woman, a volunteer with charity My Lovely Horse Rescue, screams at the driver: ‘F***ing stop, what’s wrong with you?

Finally, after nearly a minute of filming, the car finally comes to a halt and the heroine can be heard breathing heavily as she checks on the donkey’s condition. The donkey, its eyes wide with fear, can be seen standing stock still as it drags its heels in for fear of the car starting again.

The video was shared on social media and local Garda have since seized the donkey as well as six others with the help of the My Lovely Horse Rescue organisation. The charity condemned the incident as an ‘awful act of cruelty’ as they shared a photograph of the white donkey safely inside a trailer (pictured)

The donkey, its eyes wide with fear, can be seen standing still as it drags its heels in for fear of the car starting again.

The video was shared on social media and local Garda have since seized the donkey as well as six others with the help of the My Lovely Horse Rescue organisation.

The charity condemned the incident as an ‘awful act of cruelty’ as they shared a photograph of the white donkey safely inside a trailer.

A Garda spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘An Garda Síochána is aware of footage in circulation involving an animal in Edenderry, Co. Offaly. 

‘While we do not comment on its contents, An Garda Síochána are currently investigating an incident under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. The animal has been checked over by Gardaí and is being recovered with their assistance.

‘An Garda Síochána take all matters of animal welfare and the criminality linked to it very seriously. We ask that any incident is reported to a local Garda Station where a complaint will be logged and fully investigated.’

The Edenderry Garda has asked witnesses to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600.