Pony killed in hit-and-run on the B3078 Roger Penny Way, near Bramshaw, and piglet killed nearby on second day of pannage

A pony’s blood was left smeared across the road surface after it was killed in a hit-and-run smash on a New Forest animal accident black spot route.

People are urged to come forward if they have information, with a reward of up to £5,000 offered if it leads to a conviction, following the collision on the B3078 Roger Penny Way, near Bramshaw.

This incident, around 8.30pm last Wednesday, came about 24 hours after a pannage piglet was killed nearby.

The pony, Waterslade Teeny, was struck despite having been fitted with two reflective collars by her concerned commoner.

Gilly Jones, who chairs the New Forest Roads Awareness campaign group, attended the scene.

“To witness that, I think that one was probably one of the messiest road surfaces I’ve seen and I’ve been doing this a long time,” she told the A&T.

Sharing an information appeal online, she posted: “The New Forest livestock are owned by someone, and having to go and witness your dead animal’s blood all over the road is too much for anyone to take.”

As well as the blood and the pony’s carcass at the side of the road, debris from the car involved was left at the scene, including fragments of headlights.

“I would have thought the driver involved would be pretty shaken up as it was a big impact on that pony, so I’m hoping they come forward,” Gilly continued to the A&T.

“As we’re going into longer nights, people need to be aware of free-roaming livestock, and wildlife as well with all the deer.

“To put it politely, at this time of year a stag’s mind is not going to be on crossing the road properly.

“Everyone just needs to slow down. It will be much better for everyone to be getting there in one piece and be a couple of minutes late.”

She added: “I’ve counted about 27 warning signs along Roger Penny Way, so I don’t know what more we can do.”

People took to the comments on her online post to express their anger at the incident.

One person wrote: “Heartbreaking. [I] feel for the owner having to deal with the loss of their pony, and how someone can drive away without a care for the animal is beyond me.”

Those with information, as well as any dash cam footage, that can help identify the driver involved should contact police online at hampshire.police.uk or by calling 101, or call the verderers office on 023 8028 2052.

A piglet was killed when it was struck by a car near Parsonage Farm at Bramshaw between midday and 1pm the previous day.

This was the second day of this year’s pannage, when commoners’ pigs and piglets are released onto the Forest to eat acorns, chestnuts and beechmast, which are poisonous to other grazing livestock.

Urging motorists to take extra care while the pigs are out, Gilly said: “They are fast moving.

“We also ask people not to pet them and to generally keep their distance – take photos with a zoom lens.”