North Tipperary IFA chair Imelda Walsh has condemned the dumping of dead calves in the county.

Fifteen calves were dumped in a number of locations in Tipperary in the last week. They weren’t tagged.

The “full rigors of the law should be thrown at people” who do this, she told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“Anyone who is aware of the person that is responsible should inform the gardaí."

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“This is very bad for farming’s image and is giving the rest of us a bad name.

“There are ways of disposing of these calves.

“It’s a farmer’s responsibility when a calf dies that it is disposed of in the appropriate way.

“To take them out and dump them like that and having the public come across it is distressing,” she said.

Department investigation

The Department of Agriculture is co-operating with Tipperary County Council in ongoing investigations into the incident.

A spokesperson for the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal that if any member of the public has information on calf dumping incidents, they should contact the Tipperary regional veterinary office at 076-106 4439.

“There is no excuse for dumping animals in this way. The Fallen Farm Stock Scheme facilitates the collection and disposal of fallen farm stock. Fallen farm stock includes bovine animals, sheep and goats.

“The Department has set maximum collection fees that a farmer will pay to the animal collector in respect of the collection service provided.

“The maximum amount that an animal collector participating in the scheme can charge for a calf (0-3 months) is €30,” the spokesperson said.