More forest road deaths show need for awareness

Seven donkeys and ponies died in two road accidents within a month in the New Forest at the end of last year

- BECKY MURRAY

MORE animal deaths on the New Forest roads have highlighted the need for drivers to be aware of their surroundings and to drive in accordance with road conditions.

Three donkeys were killed in a collision with a van on 12 December, while four ponies died as a result of a collision with a 4x4 on 31 December.

During 2020, agisters attended 105 accidents involving stock (ponies, donkeys, cattle, sheep and pigs), compared to 159 in 2019. In total, 29 ponies died in 2020 compared to 35 in 2019. Seven donkeys died in 2020, compared to eight in 2019.

Head agister Jonathan Gerelli told H&H while figures were down in 2020, there had been a “bad run” of incidents during the last six weeks, including cows and sheep being killed in hit and runs.