The Cromwell community has been left angry and disgusted as rotting deer carcasses have been found dumped in the town, with Police openly condemning the behaviour and asking for information. 

Geoff Pye posted on the Facebook page, Cromwell Today, to call out the disrespectful, disgusting and lazy behaviour. 

“How can anyone think this is acceptable, dumping a partially boned deer carcass, guts and all, outside the Wormworx worm farm gate?

“The contact phone number is clearly shown on the sign above, a quick courtesy call would have been in order I would have thought.

“If anyone has an address as to where the mess can be returned to, please let me know.”

Geoff Pye found a partially butchered and rotting deer carcass dumped outside of Wormworx Farm, Cromwell. Photo: Geoff Pye/Facebook. 

When asked by The Central App, Geoff says it is not the first time it has happened. 

“I have just found and posted another dumped carcass, last year I found three entire stags, (minus the heads) beside Firewood Creek.”

One commenter added “Saw another well boned out one dumped right beside the track down behind wormworx today.” 

John Kemna commented: “Definitely wrong. Gives hunters a bad look.”

Social media users condemned the disgusting behaviour whoever dumped the carcass, and Police say anyone with information are asked to come forward. Photo: Facebook. 

Police condemned the dumping of a deer carcass outside the Wormworx Farm in Cromwell.

"It's not a great look for any hunter, there's places to dispose of carcasses correctly," Central Otago Area Response Manager Clinton Wright says.

"If you're going to hunt then show some respect to the animal you've killed as well as to other people's property."

Any information the public has about the incident should be reported to the Police.

Police are aware the ROAR is on at this time of year and always see a significant increase in the number of hunting-related incidents and Search and Rescue operations at this time, with target misidentification being the biggest cause of fatalities. 

Geoff Pye found a second deer carcass near Firewood Creek, while other locals say they have also found carcasses. Photo: Geoff Pye/Facebook. 

The responsibility is always on the shooter to positively identify their target. 

The consequences of failing to fully identify a target beyond all doubt are immediate, tragic and catastrophic. 

Wright says poaching is also of concern during the hunting season with two confirmed cases currently under investigation in the Otago region in the past week. 

Depending on the circumstances of disposal, wrongly disposing of an animal carcass may come under the following littering/disposal laws acts. (Continue reading below)

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If it is not disposed of in one of the ways listed below, there are no restrictions for members of the public. 

1. Discarded as rubbish in a public place - the Litter Act - enforced by police and local councils (not regional councils).

2. Discarded in a manner where it could contaminate water - the RMA - enforced by regional councils.

3. Where it becomes a health hazard - the Health Act - administered by the local DHB or health department.