150 dead chickens dumped at Painswick Beacon (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

150 dead chickens dumped at Painswick Beacon

2:53pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Ian Craig

MORE than 100 dead chickens have been dumped at Painswick Becon.

The 150 carcasses, which appear to have been professional prepared, were found by a member of the public and are thought to have been dumped on the morning of Wednesday January 30 before 10am.

Gloucestershire County Council is responsible for enforcing the law in matters concerning the disposal of animal by-products to prevent the spread of disease, and the head of the authority’s trading standards division Eddie Coventry urged anyone who had information to contact the council.

“It is likely that these carcasses are food waste from a local business, which has dumped them to avoid having to pay the cost of proper disposal - as it is required to do by law,” he said.

GCC cabinet member for communities Cllr Will Windsor-Clive (Con, Newent) said the he felt maintaining the appearance of the popular beauty spot was important.

“It is the responsibility of all local businesses to ensure they dispose of waste like this by operating through the correct channels,” he said. “Anyone who doesn’t needs to be brought to the attention of Trading Standards.”

The carcasses have since been removed by Stroud District Council.

Anyone with any information can contact Trading Standards on 08454 040 506.

Information can also be reported anonymously at tradingstandards.gov.uk/glos/report.htm

Information on the disposal of food waste is available here and further advice can be obtained from Trading Standards on 01452 426 201.