RCMP say a donkey was stolen near the farm he lived on, near Leduc, in early May – but for the woman who may face charges in the case, she says she rescued the animal, who she says was a stray.

J Maxwell told CTV News that she found Eeyore the donkey near a rural roadway north of Millet May 12, and the animal was in bad shape.

“Very deep gash holes, and a lot of pus, a lot of puss, a lot of infection,” Maxwell said.

“It was extremely unkempt, it wasn’t walking properly, [there were] chunks of hair missing from the neck, it really looked like it was living in the bush.”

The farm girl, who grew up with animals, said the donkey’s hooves were deformed, he had wounds on his neck and back and he was reportedly screeching in pain.

Maxwell said she stayed with him for a few hours, hoping his owner would come looking for him – then, she said neighbours passed by and said the donkey was always wandering around.

“I couldn’t leave him like that, I don’t know who would leave him like that,” Maxwell said.

She brought the animal home with her, where she says she mended his wounds, and talked to a vet about his condition – more than a week later, RCMP said the animal had been stolen from a farmyard.

Now, theft charges are pending against Maxwell, she says.

“Absolutely not stolen off of a farmyard, it’s absolutely ludicrous, this is ridiculous,” Maxwell said.

Back when RCMP issued a public notice saying the animal had been stolen, CTV News talked to owner Tim Lessing, who pleaded for the return of his 4-year-old daughter’s pet.

“At first she didn’t really know what to make of it, couldn’t understand why someone would want to take her donkey,” Lessing said at the time. “It baffles me.”

The donkey was seized from the owner on May 23 by the Alberta SPCA. Maxwell was granted a caretaker agreement. Later Tuesday afternoon officials showed up to take the donkey as part of their investigation. Turns out Eeyore was brought to a nearby vet then returned to his owner Tim Lessing.

“His value is a life, and if its being compromised, do I think he should be returned to the owners? Absolutely not,” Maxwell said.

On Tuesday evening, CTV News was there as Eeyore was returned to his owners – Lessing said it was good to have Eeyore home, and that he treats his animals with care.

The vet gave the animal a clean bill of health, and as of Tuesday evening, a farrier was working on the donkey’s hooves.

"He had been looked at by a vet, there is no reason to for anyone to believe he had been neglected, in my opinion," Tim Lessing said Tuesday evening - saying Eeyore had been treated for injuries suffered in a recent horse attack.

RCMP and SPCA officials are still investigating the case; it’s unclear if or when charges could be laid - either against Maxwell, or the family.

With files from Veronica Jubinville