The owner of the donkey which died after a suspected acid attack has spoken out about how he will never get the answers he needs.

John Pugh, 46, of Dover Road, Tilmanstone, looked after Dave the donkey for 19 years before he died on Saturday, September 19.

Mr Pugh said the family have been deeply affected by the loss of the animal, a former Margate beach donkey.

He said: “We’re all gutted. We wouldn’t like to lose any of them, but that is a very sad way to go.”

'We’re all gutted. We wouldn’t like to lose any of them, but that is a very sad way to go.' - Mr Pugh

Mr Pugh said Dave was a very intelligent creature and for the past few years he was worried he might die, but after every winter, he came out fighting fit.

The family do not know what happened to cause his death, but the speed with which the 50-year-old donkey deteriorated made Mr Pugh think a substance had been poured on the animal.

He said: “They tested for everything, but as it was a weekend, it was 22 hours before the tests could be made. All the tests came back negative.”

Mr Pugh said he was told because of the time between the animal’s death and the tests, they were unable to determine whether the cause had been acid, or any other kind of substance.

He said: “They give us enjoyment and they are enjoyed by people who go to see them.

“There’s a 94-year-old lady who gets driven from St Margaret’s to see them every Friday morning. It’s the highlight of her week.”

More than £1,000 has been raised on a crowdfunding web page set up by Jack Jones from Sandwich.

Mr Pugh said he will not accept the cash – which was raised to help catch the culprit and to fund vet bills – but would like to see it donated to The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon, a cause that is close to his heart.

Mr Jones said he will be giving everyone back their donations and they can choose whether they would like to give it to the sanctuary.

Mr Pugh, who lives with his wife Justine, 36, said: “It’s nice to know that something good can come out of something bad.”