Dedham horse owner sprays warning on her beloved pet

Johanna Bayliss-Fuller spray painted her beloved 19-year-old horse, named Donkey, with a message urging people “do not feed me”.

The 34-year-old fears walkers could kill her horse with their kindness as he eats huge amounts of extra food provided to him on a daily basis.

She used sheep marking spray to write the statement in bold blue letters on Donkey’s impressive white coat of fur, accompanied with a heart.

The horse owner, who lives in Raydon on the Essex/Suffolk borders, stated she was sparked into action after someone removed the electric fencing and let him out of his field, leaving Donkey free to roam the neighbouring fields.

Pet - Donkey, the horse

“I put him by the footpath so people can say hello to him while sticking to where they should be but this came with flaws,” said Ms Bayliss-Fuller.

“I decided to spray paint him as I want to protect and do the best for him.”

The horse owner says she understands people want to feed the animal, admitting having been that person herself when she was younger, but fears it creates a bigger issue.

READ MORE >> Fed-up horse owner sprays 'don't feed' warning on pet after her urgent pleas are ignored

She added: “If every person walking past gives him an apple that could be 100 plus a day which is an uncontrolled amount for him to eat.

“He could choke, unfortunately I can’t be there 24 hours a day looking out for him. I have signs warning people to be careful and not to feed him but they have been ignored.

“They are big animals who can be dangerous and if you get it wrong you could end up in trouble.”