Appeal after dead chickens dumped in Highland burn

THE Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after more than fifty dead chickens were found dumped in a burn.

The grim discovery was made by a dog walker who spotted the birds, some floating in the water and others contained in black bin bags, in Reisgill burn at Lybster, Caithness.

Senior Inspector Audrey Gunn went to the scene on Monday and found eight plastic bags each containing around five chickens, with a further twelve carcasses loose in the water.

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It is not known whether the birds were dead or alive when they were dumped as they were too far decomposed for a post mortem examination to be conducted.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has been alerted to the incident due to water pollution concerns.

The carcasses have been removed and disposed of appropriately by SEPA and Highland Council.

Senior Inspector Gunn said, “The lady who made the discovery had actually stopped to admire the view at Reisgill Bridge when she looked down and noticed the birds in the water below.

“The burn runs under the A99 to the south of Lybster and it is possible that someone has stopped on the main road and dumped the birds over the bridge assuming they would float down stream.

“I estimate there to be at least 52 birds in total, spread over a distance of about 100 metres.

“We do not know whether the chickens have come from a private or commercial source, however, most commercial chicken producers have proper systems in place for the safe disposal of carcasses.

“It’s also impossible for us to say whether the animals were caused suffering before they died due to the advanced state of decomposition.

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“What we can say is that they should not have been disposed of in this way and we are very keen to trace the person responsible for this.”

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

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