An active investigation is underway by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) after roughly a dozen of dead lambs were illegally dumped in Co. Derry over the weekend.
The dumping of these lamb carcasses was first discovered by a local on a morning walk last Sunday (April 26) on Clagan Road near Claudy village.
This incident follows a similar situation last week where dead animal carcasses were also illegally dumped in Clogher, Co. Tyrone.
John Blair, who is the Northern Ireland Assembly Animal Welfare chair, noted his concerns from these reports and “the potential for serious animal cruelty to be involved.”
He said: “Most farmers are responsible and take their duty to dispose of animals safely very seriously.
“Sadly, a few disregard this responsibility, risking public and animal health.
“I hope the owner of these deceased livestock can be identified and the appropriate action taken,” Blair added.
DAERA
The department stated that both cases in Derry and Tyrone are being investigated.
Farmers have been reminded by DAERA of their legal obligation to dispose of animals in a safe and sustainable manner.
DAERA outlined: “The recovery and disposal of fallen livestock is the responsibility of the animal owner if that can be established or, if not, then the owner of the land on which the carcase is located.
“On public land or highways/roadsides, responsibility for disposal rests with the local council, if ownership cannot be determined.”
DUP
Meanwhile, the DUP’s spokesperson for agriculture, Carla Lockhart also raised concerns about the “growing scale of fly-tipping and the illegal dumping of animal carcasses” across Northern Ireland recently.
She warned that these acts “pose a serious threat to both public health and the rural environment”.
“The dumping of dead livestock, including cattle, sheep and lambs, in ditches and along rural country roads is not only shocking but entirely unacceptable,” the Upper Bann MP added.