[Faline]

Search giant Google has been forced to deny killing a donkey after these alarming images were spotted on their mapping service.

The pictures - taken in Botswana - appear to show a donkey lying dead after being run over by a Google Street View car.

The animal is seen standing upright by the roadside – but further down the road it can be seen lying on its side.

Claims that it was hit by the Google car have sparked intense debate across social media sites.

But a Google spokesperson said concerned Twitter users had got the chronology of the images the wrong way round.

The search engine claims the donkey had been napping in by the roadside "before moving safely aside as our car drove past".

A spokesman added: "Because of the way our 360-degree imagery is put together, it looked to some that our car had been involved in an unseemly hit and run, leaving the humble beast stranded in the road."

“I’m pleased to confirm the donkey is alive and well.

"Our Street View teams take the safety of people and donkeys very seriously."

But many remain unconvinced, arguing that the donkey would have had to walk backwards for Google's version of events to add up.

[Gh007]

Thats hilarious. if they hit a donkey it pobably would have damaged the car pretty bad...

[icheerthebull]

I know I shouldnt laugh but I couldnt help it

edit - how the fuck do they know its 'alive and well'

[Megamel29]

It's too hard to tell from these pictures. I would imagine though that if the car hit the donkey, the driver wouldn't have been able to keep driving without stopping at least momentarily from the impact.

[Azimuth]

How fast do the google vehicles travel? I'm guessing somewhat slowly?

I would think the donkey had plenty of time to move out of the way?

[Mizz_Russia]

hmm how does one google map an area like that to see that? Just pick a random latt and long... and see a donkey on the side of the road... interesting.

[BlueNosePit]

"Our Street View teams take the safety of people and donkeys very seriously."

[Eaton]

The donkey's fine.

[Pyramid_Head]

People will make a big scene out of nothing.

[kellyhound]

i think the google explanation is the correct one