Did Google Street View car run over a donkey? Camera car appears to hit animal on dirt road in Botswana

They are known for traveling the world and documenting our surroundings in extreme detail.



But, as these pictures show, it seems as though Google may have photographed itself being involved in a rather unfortunate accident.



A picture has emerged on Twitter which was taken by a Google Street View car showing a donkey - which looks dead - lying beside a road in Botswana.



Alive: A picture has emerged on Twitter which was taken by a Google Street View car showing a donkey - which looks dead - lying beside a road in Botswana. This image shows the donkey initially standing.

Wounded: But shortly afterwards the donkey is pictured by the Street View car lying in the road. The dust billowing from it indicates the animal could have just been hit

And the pictures seem to suggest that the donkey was knocked over by the very same Google Street view camera car which photographed the injured beast.



A puff of dust pictured billowing from the donkey indicates the animal may have just fallen as the image was taken.

When Google users scroll past the injured donkey they can see it standing uninjured by the road side.



This has led to accusations that Google ran over the donkey and the picture of it lying injured by the roadside was taken by the rear-facing camera.

Accused: There have been accusations that Google ran over the donkey and the picture of it lying injured by the roadside was taken by the rear-facing camera

Google has claimed its car approached the donkey, which was already lying down. The internet giant claims it then gets up again and continues walking uninjured.



However, according to images seen by Couriermail.com.au, this version of events suggests that the donkey is walking backwards.

A Google Street View spokesman denied that the donkey was injured by one of its cars.



Firm: Google has denied that one of its Street View cars hit the donkey

'Our Street View teams take the safety of people and donkeys very seriously,' the spokesperson said. 'A review of our imagery confirms that we did not cause any harm to the donkey.'



However, people who saw the picture on Twitter had a different view.

