The full-size taxidermy donkey, complete with saddle, is going under the hammer, one of more than 500 lots up for sale at Proctor Auctions in Dunedin this weekend.
Business owner Ronnie Proctor said Dougal was about 50 years old and in "pretty good nick", given his age.
A donkey was not a common subject for taxidermy, and a full-mount taxidermy - such as Dougal - was rarer and even five decades ago, would have cost thousands, Mr Proctor said.
"So whoever got him done the first time must have really loved him."
Dougal had come from a collector in Queenstown but little else was known about his life, before or after taxidermy.
"We’ve had quite a few different [taxidermy] animals; this is the first donkey," Mr Proctor said.
A social media straw poll had bestowed the name "Dougal" on the donkey, who was already a favourite with local school children.
"Who wouldn’t want Dougal in the house? He’s cheap to feed, he’s quite cute, doesn’t make any noise ... doesn’t make a mess," Mr Proctor said.
"You need a talking point."
The donkey was expected to fetch between $1500 and $3000 at auction and people across the country had already shown interest in buying him.
"I’ll be very sad to see him go."
Proctor Auctions’ taxidermy and man cave auction will be held on Sunday morning.
