The SPCA is investigating after a local Taupō man filmed the mass dumping of rubbish and four dead deer on the side of a rural road.
Taupō local Shane Munro was on his way to work on Friday morning when he noticed out the corner of his eye the carcass of a deer.
Munro pulled over and upon further inspection, he counted four dead deer amongst large amounts of rubbish on the side of Forrest Road and down a ditch.
"Disgusted and disrespectful, it's appalling you know, it's a waste of four animals. It's not a rubbish dump."
Munro told Newshub he felt the need to film the dumping and share it online to make his community aware of what had happened.
"Hopefully it won't happen again."
The video shows two deer carcasses down the ditch beside the road among a large amount of rubbish.
An SPCA spokesperson said in a statement that they were aware of the video, and are concerned about the unexplained death of the animals.
"We are looking into the matter, but have not received any other information in relation to it."
The spokesperson added an investigation under the Animal Welfare Act would need evidence of the cause of death.
"It being inhumane as the dumping of animals is not necessarily, in itself, an offence under that Act."
The SPCA is asking members of the public for any information in relation to the death of the deer.
Locals have shared their "disgust" online after Munro shared the video.
"Oh my gosh, some people are absolutely pigs, aren't they. Don't even deserve to be called human."
"That's disgusting. No respect for the animals killed. Trash everywhere."
"Absolutely horrific," another added.
Newshub has approached Taupō District Council for comment.
