Farmers Criticised For Irresponsible Disposal Of Dead Lambs

Aberdeenshire Council animal health and welfare team are reminding famers that they may face prosecution if they fail to properly dispose of dead animals.

This follows the discovery of dead lambs in bags in Macduff last week.

Animal welfare inspectors were called to Tarlair Road in the town last Thursday where they discovered five bags containing 12 either new born or day old lambs.

The lambs could not initially be accessed so Aberdeenshire Council waste service had to provide a winch in order to retrieve the bags on Friday morning.

Arrangements were then made to dispose of them properly.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Protective Services and Waste Management Ian Robertson said:

“The illegal actions of whoever disposed of these lambs was deeply irresponsible and we hope the public can help us find this person.

“A considerable amount of time and equipment was used to retrieve the bags. All costs including the disposal of the lambs, will have to be met by the council.”

Farmers are responsible for the disposal of their animals. If livestock dies on a farm, it must be collected, identified and transported for disposal as soon as is reasonably practical. Failure to do so can lead to prosecution.

Scottish SPCA Senior Inspector Lesley Crockett said, “Sadly during lambing season many lambs die of natural causes or complications.

“It appears this is a case of someone disposing of the carcasses inappropriately rather than a case of animal cruelty.

“The lambs have no ear tags so it has not been possible to trace the owner as of yet. If anyone has information they should contact Police Scotland.”