DEAD goats have been found abandoned in a woodland area outside Newport.

The animals appeared to have been dumped down a ditch at the top of a popular but secluded walking route in Rhiwderin, known by locals as “five lanes”. Some of the ten goats, which did not appear to have suffered any serious physical injuries, were tagged by the ear and read: “UK 726710”.

Local resident Brian James, 65, was walking his husky dogs at around 10am yesterday (Wed) morning when he noticed a large blue sheet which had been dumped by a tree.

The former butcher said: “I was walking my huskies in the morning and I let one of them off as I always do. One went to sniff the sheet so I went over to see what it was and I saw what looked like a dead baby goat. I didn’t go down there to look and I didn’t want my dogs to stay around them so I went away.”

Tyre marks were visible on the piece of land next to where the animals were found.

Mr James added: “The goats looked too healthy to have died from natural causes. It really did stink, but they weren’t bleeding or anything.

“I went for a walk late the night before and went for another one at around 10am the next morning, so it must have happened overnight. There should be a post-mortem to find what happened to them – it’s not something you see every day.”

Newport City Council and Gwent Police have been made aware of the incident.