Marlon Vickerman, Star Writer

Policemen attempt to open a bag in which a human body was believed to be in gully at Heroes Circle yesterday. - Peta-Gaye Clachar

Police cordoned off a section of Heroes Circle yesterday, thinking the area was a crime scene after a bag with what was believed to be a body was seen in a gully behind the Ministry of Education.

But to the dismay of the police, the crowd of onlookers, fire fighters, scene-of-crime personnel, pathologists and investigators, it was just a dog.

It was 4 p.m. when THE STAR arrived at the 'crime scene' unable to ascertain how long police had been there. One bystander said, "Dem deh ya bout an hour now."

The area was cordoned off with yellow tape, there were several police cars and a fire Brigade truck in the street, lights flashing, blocking oncoming traffic from Marescaux Road.

All the attention was focused on a puffed-up bag in the gully from which an unbearable and awful scent was coming. And, judging from the countless flies, there was something dead inside.

About 4:30 p.m. two policemen in white overalls, descending into the gully. The crowd's anticipation was high. Curiosity got the better of them and they covered their noses from the unbearable stench and looked on.

One policeman slit the bag and started to unwrap a pink and yellow comforter. A few more persons held on to their noses as their eyes widened, eager to see who had fallen victim to such a cruel act. A significant portion of the covering was removed and the crowd gave out a synchronised hiss of the teeth. It was a dog and the crowd began drifting away, obviously disappointed.