THERE has been an alarming rise in the number of dead animal carcasses that have been dumped in Donegal this year.
Already in 2021, instances have DOUBLED in comparison to the whole of 2020.
Donegal County Council has investigated 18 instances of the illegal disposal of dead farm animal carcasses in the early months of 2021.
Figures obtained by Donegal Daily show that these instances, which have either been investigated or are subject to ongoing investigation, involve 42 carcasses.
This is in comparison to nine separate instances which were investigated in 2020 and which involved a total of 18 carcasses.
The startling rise is a major cause of concern for the Local Authority.
“The vast majority of farmers do ensure that they use an authorised dead animal collection service,” a spokesperson for Donegal County Council told Donegal Daily.
“However, by perpetrating these illegal acts, a small minority of individuals are causing pollution and tarnishing the good name of the wider farming community who act as custodians of the environment.
“Donegal County Council is liaising with relevant stakeholders in its investigations.”
At the weekend, the carcasses of 19 dead sheep were found by anglers on the Termon River in Pettigo.
The grim discovery located 19 dead ewes, found in various states of decomposition.
It is believed that the sheep were thrown into the river from bridges near Lettercran Chapel.
Anglers also located a large volume of black silage pit plastic.
Some images of the carcasses of dead sheep found at the Termon River in Pettigo
The Donegal County Council spokesperson said: “DCC would like to thank the members of the public who report illegal dumping and encourage any member of the public who has information regarding any instance of unauthorised waste activity to call 074 91 53900 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Friday.
“In addition, outside of the Council’s office hours or where a member of the public may wish to report an issue directly to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they can make a report through the National Environmental Complaints Line on 1850 365121 or via the EPA’s “See it? Say it?” smartphone app.
“These services operate on a 24 hour basis. DCC is committed to thoroughly investigating all reports received.”
In December, seven dead sheep were found in a forestry at Meenagoland, Killygordon. A variety of discarded empty veterinary product bottles were also discovered at the time.
A month later, a dead calf was discovered in a forest at Cronalaghey, Killygordon
In February, three deer were found dumped near Healthfield, Greenhill, a popular walking route near Falcarragh, in an act described by Councillor John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh as ‘barbaric.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told Donegal Daily: “With regard to livestock carcasses found on lands – be it identified or unidentified- it is the responsibility of the landowner to dispose of the carcasses. Illegal dumping, as environmental contamination, may be investigated by Local Authorities.”
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