Stephanie Heath
Being struck by Cupid’s bow has just taken on an entirely new meaning. While the saying typically refers to amorous exchanges, this is anything but. Instead, a donkey named Cupid was literally shot by an arrow.
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The Details: A wild donkey, named Cupid, was recently shot by an arrow. The NY Post shares that “The 2-year-old female burro was spotted last Wednesday with a blue arrow protruding from her right shoulder.” She had been wandering with her herd near Moreno Valley when she was shot.
- After Cupid was discovered with an arrow protruding from her side, animal services and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department intervened. They worked together to transport the wounded animal.
- Chad Cheatham, vice president of DonkeyLand, shared that the arrow punctured Cupid’s right lung. She was admitted for an emergency procedure, in which the arrowhead was removed.
- Current reports share that Cupid is stable after her surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
Not The First Attack
Surprisingly, this is not the first wild donkey to have been shot by an arrow. The NY Post reported that Cupid’s misfortune is “the latest in a series of half a dozen attacks since June.” The attackers seem to be targeting donkeys in semirural areas of Southern California.
- DonkeyLand shared that on the weekend of June 14, a young burro was found with an arrow in her side, not far from where Cupid was recently discovered.
- A few days later, a second wild donkey was found shot by an arrow of a similar style.
- Since those attacks, at least three other donkeys have been shot in the vicinity. Even young donkeys are not safe, as reports indicate that two of the donkeys that were shot were between two and four months old.
Desperate for Answers: Amid these horrendous attacks, local authorities are desperate for answers. DonkeyLand is offering a $24,000 reward, all raised from donations, for anyone who comes forward with information regarding these attacks.
Additionally, the Riverside County Department of Animal Services continues to investigate these attacks. They are also asking for the public’s assistance. Wild burros are protected under federal law and are beloved by many. Not only have they become the unofficial mascot for the American Southwest, but they also assist the community by eating tinder-dry grass that would otherwise spark wildfires.
Anyone with information is encouraged to step forward.
