ILLEGAL dumpers, who abandoned four dead calves beside a water supply in the Pomeroy area, have been branded "a total and utter disgrace".
The animals were discovered last weekend at Altmore Forest near Altaglushan, along with other agricultural waste including silage wrappers and oil drums.
Local councillor, Michael Gillespie, told the Tyrone Times he notified veterinary and environme
ntal health representatives following the shocking discovery.
The Sinn Fein representative slammed those responsible.
"The people who did this are a total and utter disgrace", he said.
"These animals were left beside a stream which runs into the reservoir, known as the 'Top Pond'. And, while the water has been treated after this incident, there is still a huge public health concern around this."
Water supply to homes in the Altaglushan and Galbally areas has long been a source of concern for Cllr Gillespie, who has campaigned for improvements to the reservoir at Altmore.
Cllr Gillespie told the Times he feared there could be wider public health problems caused as a result of the recent spell of hot weather and the condition of the dead animals.
"Three of these calves were nearly a year old, the other one was just about two months", continued the local representative.
"I would be concerned about what these animals died from. They all seem to be from the same herd. Something similar to this happened here about two years ago, about a mile from where it happened this time. These people have to realise there is a serious public health risk with dumping in this manner. I would hope that these people could be identified in some way. Surely with the amount of tests that are done on animals nowadays, for brucellosis and other things, there is some way to find out who they are."
Cllr Gillespie criticised those responsible for having "absolutely no respect" for the surrounding environment, adding that silage covers and oil drums had also been left at the picturesque site.
