A RUNNER has discovered a gruesome haul of dead pigeons - some with their heads missing.

Gary Hiscock stumbled upon the “macabre sight” of several bags full of dead pigeons while out running on Saturday.

The 47-year-old firefighter, who believes the birds were shot, said the find off Roman Road in Chilworth would be disturbing for families who use the road for walks.

Gary, from Lordswood in Southampton, said that the pigeons, some with heads off, were a very strange sight.

He added: “I was disgusted and annoyed. One for the destruction of an animal and two the blatant disposal in a public road which children use with their parents.”

A police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we were called at 8.37am on Sunday, January 3 to reports of a large number of deceased pigeons found in a bag on a mud track between Roman Road and Manor Road.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to contact us by calling 101 and quoting 44210002167.”

The incident has not been reported to the RSPCA but a spokesperson for the animal welfare charity said: “We encourage anyone with information about animal cruelty to report through the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 or to Police.”As previously reported, a dog walker from Braishfield spotted a heap of 12 dead pigeons she believed to have been killed by a “catapult”.

Charlotte Hughes had been walking along Eldon Road, Braishfield when she came across them in April last year.

She took to social media to appeal for information.

Commenting at the time she said: “It really stresses me out because I am a vegetarian and I think if you are going to kill something, put it to good use and don’t just chuck it.”