The dumping of four mutilated deer in a Central Hawke's Bay river has been described as "disgusting" by a local hunting expert.
Four deer carcasses were found on the banks of the Waipawa River beneath the Waipawa Bridge yesterday, with their throats slit and hind legs and back steaks cut off.
Dave Hern Fishing & Shooting Outfitters owner and hunting guide Dave Hern, Waipukurau, said the deer, which appeared to be domestic yearling red deer, may have been poached from a local farm and had their ear tags removed. "I would say they were illegally obtained, and they were definitely illegally dumped. These animals have been shot, stolen and dumped, with the best bits boned out." The deer appeared to have been dead for about a week before being discarded.
"Someone locally will be missing these animals. To have four taken probably wouldn't be obvious straight away." The culprits had probably dumped the deer in the river "just to be smart alecs".
"It's disgusting. Dumping them in a waterway is a lot worse than dumping them in an offal hole."
It is understood the carcasses have been reported to the authorities but police couldn't be reached for comment last night.