A VILLAGE has been left in shock after a dead pony and two tyres were dumped in a layby notorious for fly-tipping.

Several walkers stumbled across the abandoned animal near to the Quarry Nature Reserve, at Bishop Middleham, on Wednesday.

The track just off the A177 to the north west of the village, near Sedgefield, is one of a handful of fly-tipping hotspots in the area that in recent years has sparked a move to clamp down on the crime in recent years.

Cllr Harvey Neve, council chairman, said: “Our community is shocked and saddened by this callous disregard for an animal and the impact that their behaviour would have on people enjoying the natural beauty of this area.

"We just don’t want these people anywhere near our community.

"Fly-tipping rubbish is bad enough but treating an animal like that is awful - especially in half term when there are lots of children around.”

A rise in illegal dumping prompted the parish council to launch an operation in 2016 to catch fly-tippers using a covert camera which has led to fines and prosecutions.

Asbestos sheets, asphalt road surfaces and manure were among the many items to be discarded in areas in and around the village.

Cllr Neve added: “The parish council invested in CCTV to catch and deter fly-tipping and we have had success in both regards.

"The parish council will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and will use all powers at our disposal to bring those responsible to the attention of the relevant authorities to deal with.”

The dumped pony was discussed at a parish council meeting on Wednesday where Cllr Neve said “everyone expressed their shock and dismay”.

Durham Police confirmed a report was made about the dead pony shortly after 12.20pm on Wednesday.

Durham County Council (DCC) was contacted and the authority removed the animal and tyres on Thursday.

Ian Hoult, the authority’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “The dumping of any kind of waste in open countryside is unacceptable as it spoils the appearance of our beautiful county but animal carcasses left in public are not only extremely upsetting for people but can also have health risks.”

Anyone with information about the incident or for advice on disposing of waste should call 03000-260000.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.