Water buffalo Oink's ordeal wins him worldwide support

DONATIONS from as far afield as America have been flooding in to help a water buffalo, which has been tormented by cruel thugs.

An animal welfare charity has also announced it has put up a £1,000 reward for information leading to the culprits being caught.

Oink, Derby's famous 15-year-old gentle giant, has had bricks thrown at him, washing-up liquid put in his water trough and his hay set on fire.

A website was set up to raise money for new fencing at his home in Haslam's Lane, Darley Abbey, to keep him safe and so far 150 people from across the globe have donated a total of £1,669.

Money has been sent from Seattle and Stamford in the US and messages of support have also come in from Denmark.

One comment reads: “Big hugs from fans in Copenhagen. Oink is a star!”

And another, sent from Martyn in Florida, reads: “Hi there, just read the article... appalling... Best of luck to you and Oink.”

Oink's owner, Katherine Moore, of Darley Park Road, said she had been overwhelmed by the response. She said: “I just can't believe how supportive people have been.

“I'm not very technical so my son has to log on to the internet and tell me how the website is doing.

“After what has happened to poor Oink, this response has restored my faith in human kindness.”

Mrs Moore said that the money would go towards new, stronger fencing and a holding pen which would make it easier when Oink needs to be treated by a vet.

She said: “He weighs a tonne and a half, so anything to make him safer and more secure would be great.

“I'm just still so overwhelmed by everyone's kindness.”

Media interest in Oink's plight has been frenzied this week, following the Evening Telegraph's story about the thugs' attacks on him.

He has appeared on national TV, radio, national newspapers and on countless radio stations.

Mrs Moore said: “When one show came to film him it was 5.30am and he staggered out of his little house, looking all bewildered.

“By the time they finished filming, he just went back to his bed after a fill of food and went to sleep.

“It's as though he was saying: 'That's me done now – I'm podged'.”

Dave Lakin, of Lawnside, Spondon, supplied and fitted CCTV equipment free of charge earlier this week, to watch over Oink.

The 34-year-old said: “The fact that so many people have read about him and are donating money to help him is absolutely brilliant.”

An animal charity, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, yesterday put up a £1,000 reward for information about Oink's plight which leads to a prosecution.

PETA's founder, Ingrid Newkirk, said: “Animal abusers are cowards.

“They take their issues out on the most defenceless beings available to them.”