Councillors in Mid Ulster raised alarms over illegal dumping of animal carcasses in the Clogher Valley area during the Environment Committee meeting on April 15.

Independent councillor Kevin McElvogue described finding remains of a cow, two sheep and sheep or calves at an undisclosed rural site near Augher, where investigations continue. He reported prior calls about dead lambs along Altaglushan Road between Killeeshil and Cappagh, with four in one bag thrown over a hedge into a ditch, plus separate ones and cow-like remains on Reclain Road. McElvogue also noted a sheep dumped over a hedge in Augher, alongside round bales and other waste.

DUP councillor Mark Robinson confirmed resident reports of the Augher sheep, which he notified to the council. He added a deer carcass lies on the edge of Minterburn Road.

McElvogue proposed the council publish contact numbers for agencies handling dead animals from roadsides, such as badgers, foxes, cats, dogs and calves. He suggested weekly anti-litter awareness in schools and praised local Scouts for a pre-Easter litter pick.

Assistant Director of Environmental Services Mark McAdoo said officers would consider adding contacts to the council website. He noted litter education already occurs via the Environmental Education Team and Eco-Schools Green Flag programme in local schools.

McAdoo clarified the council collects dead animals from roadsides and public property but not private land, which is the landowner's duty. DAERA does not remove animals from private property either.