A dead cow spotted in Hutt River just north of Totara Park bridge in Upper Hutt.

The discovery of a dead cow along the Hutt River offered less than idyllic scene for a family out walking.

Upper Hutt resident Andy Hepworth found the bloated bovine north of the Totara Park bridge on Sunday.

Early on Monday morning Hutt River ranger Grant Timlin said he would look into it.

"If it's on our land we'll clear it," he said.

"We're always very busy. But something like that we'd prioritise."

Timlin said he would look into it Monday or at the latest, Tuesday.

However, when the Upper Hutt Leader sent a photo of the cow to the Greater Wellington Regional Council, the beefy situation was resolved.

The Hutt River ranger removed the carcass shortly after on Monday afternoon and took it to the landfill.