A DEAD duck impaled on a post and sprayed gold near a footpath has been removed after complaints.

The rotting bird – with strings through its wings attached to a wooden framework – is thought to have been an art project.

Resident Jo Amey reported it to police after finding it in woodland close to the footpath between Slades Farm and Wallisdown Road in Bournemouth.

She said it had been there at least since Sunday.

At the scene yesterday morning, passing dog walker Gillian Hicks of Talbot Village said: “It’s not a real duck, is it? That’s awful. Someone has taken time to put that up. I don’t think that’s art.”

Police alerted the RSPCA and spoke to the council and university to try and get the duck removed.

But a spokesman added: “There doesn’t appear to be any suggestion that any offence has occurred.”

George Syrett of Savills, which looks after the land on behalf of the Talbot Village Trust, said anyone wanting to place an art installation there should have sought permission. “The trustees would be unlikely to approve it,” he said.

Alison Masters, spokeswoman for the nearby Arts University College, did not know whether the duck had been put there by a student.

RSPCA spokeswoman Jo Barr said: “If somebody has done this for some kind of art project and there was nothing untoward, we would appreciate them letting us know.

“I would urge anyone with any information about the way the duck died, or the person res-ponsible, to contact the police or RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

“We hate to see animals’ bodies disposed of in this way. It’s pretty macabre and sends out a message that this is an acceptable thing to do.”