The discovery of a heap of rotting bird carcasses in South Wales has highlighted the possible disease risk of illegal animal disposal to livestock businesses.

This latest case of mass dumping of game birds was discovered in a pit in Beulah by the League Against Cruel Sports.

The former veterinary advisor to the Welsh Office, John Campbell said, “What is worrying is that we do not know what caused these birds’ deaths. Their presence vastly increases the bacterial load in the area and possibly the local water courses if there is run off.

“These pits attract predators, such as foxes, rats, crows, hawks etc which can lead to the spread of diseases. Decomposing carcasses are also unfavourable environments for many viruses, and one is thinking in terms of avian flu.”