A woman says she was left “heartbroken” after finding a dead horse and a bin full of animal bones dumped on a road.

Rachel Payne was alerted by a friend to the shocking sight in Blunts Lane, Chiswell Green, on August 11.

The 31-year-old first spotted the dead horse, a grey stallion, which she belives was around four to eight week old.

"I didn't think a little baby horse should be laying there and its no dignity for that animal either," she said.

She later found a bin with animal bones inside and called police as well as the council.

Mrs Payne, who owns four horses of her own, said it is “disgraceful that animals have been treated in this way”.

She said: “It makes me feel really upset for the animals and heartbroken because I wish if I knew these animals previously I could have helped them, you don’t know what they’ve been through or why they were dumped.”

Read more - Dead horse and bin with animal bones inside found in Chiswell Green

Mrs Payne, who lives near Chiswell Green, added that the smell coming from the bin was “unbelievable”.

She said she opened the top bag and noticed bones inside in a liquid.

“There was another bag underneath but I didn’t attempt that because of the smell, being an animal lover I didn’t like to see that,” she added.

St Albans District Council says a specialist contractor was called to take away the body of a grey stallion that had been left on the road.

“There was also a bin, containing animal bones and other remains of some sort,” a council spokesperson added.

Police were also called over the incident.

“However, there is no suggestion a criminal offence has taken place,” a Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said.

“The animals were removed by the local council.”