BAGS of dead pheasants have been dumped in the Dyfi River near Machynlleth, with Dyfed Powys Police confirming they are investigating the grisly discoveries.

The incident was raised by Powys county councillor Elwyn Vaughan, who represents the Glantwymyn ward in the north of the county, and has himself been investigating the amount of sewage flowing into the river in recent weeks.

Councillor Vaughan posted disturbing images of nine bags of dead pheasants on Twitter on Tuesday, February 14, which had seemingly been dumped in the river near Glantwymyn in previous days by people seemingly hoping they would be washed out to sea.

However, due to the weight of the dead birds in the bags and the low river flow, they stayed put, with images of the bags in the water near a bridge sent to Cllr Vaughan.

County Times: The bags of dead pheasants pictured in the river near Glantwymyn The bags of dead pheasants pictured in the river near Glantwymyn (Image: None)

Cllr Vaughan said he and MS Cefin Campbell had raised issues with an overflowing pumping station at Cwmllinau with Welsh Water as they raised concerns with sewage entering waterways in Powys.

“Likewise, sewage is regularly discharged into the river at Llanbrynmair according to recent data, again flowing into the Dyfi," he said.

“Then in recent days we've had to take nine plastic bags of dead pheasants from the river near Glantwymyn – clearly dumped in the hope that they would be washed away to sea.

“I was told Sunday night. They were in the river not moving due to the weight in the bags and low river flow. They look to me as though they have been thrown over the side of the bridge.

“Obviously, there are a number of shoots in the area, and the police have been informed, but naturally such action does no good to any of them when you have an individual which shows such disregard as this.

“Let's be clear, such action is not right and we need to stop treating our river as an open sewer for all and sundry to be dumped into it.

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“We all have a responsibility for our environment and we all need to use some basic common sense as well as respect, not only for the unique environment we have, but also for each other and other users of the river.

“The police and environmental health are aware of the pheasant dumping and are looking into the matter.”

“Dyfed Powys Police and partner agencies are aware of an incident where bird carcasses have been located in the River Dyfi,” said the force in a statement.

“Enquires are ongoing at this time.”