A FARMER has explained why he suspended a dead cow from a piece of farm machinery in full public view.

Chris Burton, owner of Grange Organic Farm in Hatfield Lane, Hatfield, Norton, just south of Worcester, said the dead heifer was hung by a leg from the arm of a digger to keep it off the ground away from foxes, dogs, badgers, buzzards and vermin that would have torn the carcass to pieces.

The farmer said the cow died on Saturday morning after an incident with a bull which broke its back. The cow was still there on Monday as the farmer waited for someone to pick up the carcass for disposal.

One person who saw the dead cow but declined to be named said: "I know my kids would have been traumatised if they’d seen that when they were younger. I’m sure the farm is big enough for the farmer to keep the cow out of sight rather than in front of the farm gates.

"Hatfield Lane, Norton, is a popular lane for walkers so anyone could have seen it.

"It’s also not very nice for the residents who would drive past it daily.

"The current state of the cow, posted on my Facebook is that she is lay on the floor bloated, full of gasses ready to burst."

Another witness described the sight as 'bizarre'. She said: "Anyone could walk past. A little child could walk past. They could be so frightened."

The Worcester News went out to the farm to speak to Mr Burton, who said he was still waiting to have the cow picked up and disposed of today. The carcass was lying in the far yard, near the gate and visible from the road.

The carcass was positioned near the farm entrance to make it easier to remove the dead cow from the farm, Mr Burton said.

He said a bucket on the cow's head was to catch any blood and fluids that drained out of its mouth, which can happen after an animal's death.

Mr Burton said: "It's a young heifer. The bull had broken her back and she died almost instantly. It is supposed to have been taken, but the lorry had broken down. At night we have to hang it up because of foxes.

"This is a working, organic farm. It is responsible, practical farming. We try to do the job properly. This is the countryside. Sometimes animals die. We look after our animals. We care for our animals. Where do people think beef comes from?"

The heifer was 25 months old and not in calf. The organic farm supplies beef to M&S and Waitrose among others.

Mr Burton said the animal was worth around £1,800 and it had cost about £600 to feed her over the two years.