Callous yobs dumped dead horses at the side of a moorland road above Huddersfield.

Now animal lovers have launched a bitter attack after the shocking incident.

The horses were abandoned at the roadside near the Saddleworth border with Kirklees on the main A640 Nont Sarah’s Road which links Denshaw to Outlane.

The bodies had to be recovered by Kirklees Council staff but not before many saw the horrific scene.

Geoffrey Haigh, owner of the landmark Rams Head at Denshaw, was driving the route when he saw the incident.

He said: "I saw the horses being loaded into the back of a lorry. It’s an absolute disgrace anyone could treat dead animals in such a callous way.

“I spoke to fellow motorists who had actually seen the horses dead at the side if the road. They were shocked”.

Campaigning councillor Alan Roughley who lives at Denshaw, said: "The Nont Sarah’s road is cursed by frequent fly tipping along its more remote stretches.

“Both Oldham and Kirklees Councils are having to send out patrols on almost a daily basis to clear up the mess.

“The latest incident, where the carcasses of two dead horses were dumped on the Kirklees side of the border, is particularly dreadful.

“Horse riding, often involving quite young children, is increasingly popular in the Pennines and you can imagine the distress it would have caused had they come across these bodies”.

He added: “It is a sorry state of affairs that horses which probably started off as being someone’s pet, finish up this way”.

Saddleworth-based Hayley Wild, has 20 years being involved with schooling and horse riding 20 yrs and a BSc in equine science.

She said: ”It’s terribly sad for horses. The tough current economic climate has lead to an unprecedented number of equine cruelty cases, equines at risk and dumping of horses. In law horses should be humanely euthanised either by a vet or licensed slaughterman and disposed of correctly usually by incineration. Horses also require a microchip by law but unfortunately many don’t have them and are then unidentifiable. It’s a sad end for such noble animals that deserve a dignified end to their life’s but unfortunately costs come into it”.

It can cost several hundred pounds for a horse to be taken away and cremated.

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said:” We can confirm that officers received an emergency out of hours call and removed two dead horses from the side of the A640.

“This unfortunate incident was dealt with quickly and the animals removed from the site”.

Sadly Huddersfield has more than it's fair share of animal cruelty. Below is a gallery of just a few of the shocking incidents over recent years. If you know of an animal that is being abused, please contact the RSPCA by clicking here to be taken to their website or on 0300 1234 999.