Kerry County Council is appealing for information and assistance from the public in relation to the discovery of the remains of several lambs in the River Blackwater in south Co. Kerry.

Council staff were alerted in recent days to the dumping of approximately eight dead lambs in the river, close to the R568 Moll’s Gap to Sneem road, and have commenced an investigation.

County vet with Kerry County Council, Paddy Fenton, described the dumping of the remains of animals in this way as “absolutely appalling, particularly in a watercourse like the Blackwater, which is home to the freshwater pearl mussel”.

“This is a really shocking incident. We have begun an investigation which will include DNA testing of the remains,” Fenton said.

The lambs are not tagged so we would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this matter to contact us.

“As with all such investigations, information obtained in confidence will be considered.”

Kerry County Council’s Environment Section can be contacted on 066-716-2000.

Risk of disease and contamination

Dead animals, especially when dumped like this, can be a source of disease and contamination, posing a significant risk to both public and animal health.

By law, farmers are obliged to have all dead livestock on their farm collected by registered dead animal collectors for transport to either an approved knackery or rendering plant.