Three dogs were found dumped in a ditch by a local man in Coole, Co. Westmeath.

Philip Dempsey made the gruesome discovery of the bodies of three dogs discarded in a ditch on private land belonging to Bord na Móna, an Irish semi state renewable energy company.

According to Mr Dempsey, the animals appeared to have been fatally shot in the head.

Dempsey described the deceased animals as “well-fed, young and healthy,”.

No attempt was made to hide the dogs’ bodies which were visible to passing traffic.

It is believed that the dogs were lurcher and terrier types.

Westmeath County Council have removed and disposed of the three dogs.