Cattle boneyard mystery solved

A Nova Scotia farmer is taking responsibility for dumping hundreds of cow carcasses in the woods in Digby County.

A pile of bones and decomposing body parts was discovered by hikers last week outside Mavillette. Officials from the departments of Agriculture, and Environment and Labour were called in to investigate.

• FROM APRIL 4, 2006: Dead cows found in woods

An unnamed farmer came forward Wednesday to say he was responsible.

Agriculture Minister Ron Chisholm said his officials are now looking at how to prevent someone else from disposing of dead animals the same way.

"It's not something that we want to see," he said.

"We're going to have to look at what regulations are in place and if we have to put in new regulations in place to resolve the issue we're going to have to look at that as well."

Unlike commercial slaughterhouses, there are no rules for individual farmers for disposing of carcasses. So the farmer didn't break any laws.

Agriculture officials plan to talk with him about the recommended ways of getting rid of animal remains, such as sending them to the rendering plant in Truro or burying them on private property.

Officials say the farmer has offered to help clean up the site.