A life lived to defeat animal cruelty

Oct 17 2007 by David Charters, Liverpool Daily Post

Vicki Moore, animal rights campaigner _158

First big success

ALTHOUGH Tony and Vicki Moore were active supporters of the RSPCA, their main campaigns to protect animals from bloodsports did not begin until 1987, when they learned that a donkey was to be crushed to death during a blood fiesta in the Spanish village of Villanueva de la Vera.

Before long, British national newspapers were competing to save the donkey, who was named Blackie. It became an international story, featuring photographs of Vicki.

But it was also teach- ing her that press support could be very valuable to such campaigns. In the end, Blackie was brought to the Donkey Sanctuary, in Devon, a little chap with big eyes and no idea of the interest he had stirred.

Tony and Vicki began the charity FAACE (Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe), which he now runs with Matilda from their home in Southport.