LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WVLT) - Animal welfare advocates spent Monday afternoon tracking and trying to catch three donkeys running loose in Lenoir City.

Officials with Horse Haven of Tennessee said they were called in by East Tennessee Mini Horse and Donkey Rescue to help capture the animals.

According to a Horse Haven spokesperson, the three donkeys have reportedly been running at large for about five years after their owner passed away.

Faced with rain and rogue animals, catching the donkeys proved difficult. So, Horse Haven set up a pen hoping to catch them overnight.

Once caught, the donkeys will go to East Tennessee Mini Horse and Donkey Rescue for shelter and care.