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UPDATE: Kidnapped pet donkey reunited with his owner

Eeyore, a pet donkey stolen from a Leduc farm, May 20, 2014. Supplied. Tim Lessing

EDMONTON – A miniature donkey that was previously reported stolen from a Leduc County farm is back at home.

“It’s very relieving,” said owner Tim Lessing, who got his pet donkey back around 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

“It’s almost unreal after a full 15 days of not seeing him.”

Lessing was given some conditions from the SPCA, including making sure Eeyore stays in his pen.

The SPCA’s Communications Manager Roland Lines said the organization took legal custody of the animal on Friday after receiving a complaint from a member of the public.

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The person reported that the donkey had overgrown hooves and that it appeared it hadn’t seen a vet for a long time.

The SPCA conducted an investigation, which  included visiting Lessing’s farm Tuesday morning to examine the donkey’s living conditions.

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It was initially said Lessing would have to  pay for food and vet costs incurred by the SPCA before getting Eeyore back. But Lessing says the SPCA chose to cover those costs.

“All I had to cover was the transportation from the place where he was at to the veterinary hospital.”

That fee came to $300.

According to Leduc RCMP, a witness saw two women with a black Jeep Cherokee loading the donkey into a trailer at 1 p.m. on May 12.

READ MORE: Alberta family pleading for pet donkey’s safe return 

The case is still under investigation.

With files from Emily Mertz, Global News

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