Dozens of dead animals found on road outside Romsey school

Witnesses saw the bodies of approximately 35 rabbits, pheasants and other animals on Danes Road, Awbridge, in the early hours this morning (February 9).

While the bodies had been spread along the road, a number were outside Awbridge Primary School.

The animals on Danes Road (Image: Contributed)

Stockbridge resident Mandy Robinson, 47, was driving past the school with her husband at approximately 6am when she saw the animals. She said that it was “like something out of a horror movie.”

She told the Advertiser: “I could not believe what I was seeing. There were all these dead hares and rabbits.

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“This was only about an hour or some before the school breakfast club began, so there were going to be primary school children walking by this horrible sight. I immediately called the police when I saw it and the person I spoke to said she was going to get on it right away.

“I don’t know why someone would do this.”

According to one driver, the aftermath of the incident caused gridlock on Danes Road this morning. However, traffic is now clear.

A resident who lives nearby said: "The animals were dumped during the early hours of the morning and very shortly after we noticed the police were here and cleaning up the bodies.

"We have a ring doorbell, but CCTV didn’t catch them as the street is very poorly lit and doesn’t have any street lighting. I think it is a very odd thing to do."

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm we received calls from around 6.30am this morning (Friday, February 9), relating to a number of dead animals left in Danes Road, Awbridge.

Feathers at the scene of the incident (Image: Contributed)

"Around 25 dead animals including pheasants and hares had been left in the road.

"Officers attended and liaised with Test Valley Borough Council to clear up the animals.

"Enquiries into this incident are ongoing.

"Anyone with information about this incident should call police on 101, quoting the reference number 44240058633, or report it via our website"

Jayne Fahey, headteacher of Awbridge Primary School, said she is "truly saddened" by the incident.

Awbridge Primary School headteacher Jayne Fahey (Image: Awbridge Primary School)

She said: "As staff approached school this morning they realised that a large number of dead animals including rabbits, pheasants and a deer were strewn across the road towards the junction of Danes Road / Romsey Road and close to the school vehicle entrance.

"Thankfully, the police and council were quickly on the scene to remove the dead animals, and this was done before the children arrived at school. We are pleased to say that there was no disruption to the children's learning or the school day.

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"As Headteacher, I am truly saddened by this event and struggle to comprehend why anyone would think it an appropriate action.

"My main concern is for the wellbeing of the members of staff who were exposed to the scene prior to children arriving. I am extremely proud of how they dealt with the situation."

This comes almost four months after a similar incident where 40 animals were dumped on Longstock Road, north of Stockbridge.

The remains of the animals were found scattered in the road on Sunday, November 26, with police launching an investigation. The incident was believed to have been linked to hare coursing.