“Violent and bossy” donkey lands his owner in court
The owner of a “violent and bossy” donkey has appeared in court charged with failing to stop it terrorising other farm animals.
The donkey, called Paco, has attacked rare breed pigs, pygmy goats and other donkeys in a field off High Street in Tiffield near Towcester.
His owner, 39-year-old Andrew Harding of Bretby Chase, Westcroft, faced eight charges of animal neglect at Daventry Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Neighbours have reported Paco the donkey chasing and biting other animals — and neighbouring donkey owner Paul Flowers claims Paco killed one of his equines in a nearby field.
In court yesterday, Mr Flowers said: “I saw the pigs had bite marks on their necks. I saw one of the goats grabbed by the neck and thrown against a shed — another day I had to fight Paco to get him off a pig.
He said: “About two days later I found one of my donkeys dead in the field.”
The court was shown a video of Paco chasing a pig, grabbing it and shaking it with his teeth.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Harding was asked to keep the donkey separate from other animals on several occasions by Trading Standards officers.
He denies six counts of breaking the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and breaching two farming regulations.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
