A donkey named Spike is in trouble after he jumped a fence and mauled a man. However, questions remain as to whether the animal was being harassed at the time of the incident, NBC Augusta reported.

Neighbors said kids, teens, and adults had thrown rocks at Spike and taunted the animal within the past weeks. He bit a 16-year-old girl on the back the day before the mauling occurred.

“I think it’s a good donkey. I’ve been back in this guy’s yard plenty of times and it’s never bothered anybody,” said Malik Dillard, a neighbor who witnessed the attack. “My kids, a bunch of the neighbors; they’ve never had any problems. I don’t see doing any damage or hurting anyone unless it was provoked, which is what I believe happened in this situation.”

Spike is currently at Animal Services’ facility and his owner has been charged with allowing livestock to run loose. Spike’s custody will be decided at a court hearing