Hit-and-run driver left New Forest pony to suffer between Hatchet Pond and Stockley Cottage
A CASH reward is on offer amid the hunt for a hit-and-run driver after a New Forest pony was left to die with a broken leg.
The 20-year-old gelding was found dead about 100 metres from the road between Hatchet Pond and Stockley Cottage around 10am on Monday, and an agister was alerted.
But Gilly Jones from animal accident campaign group New Forest Roads Awareness believed it would have suffered before dying as the collision was not reported.
“While the law states that a collision with livestock should be reported to the police within 24 hours, we want to remind people, that from an animal welfare perspective, they should do so immediately,” she told the A&T.
“There was headlight and indicator glass at the scene. The driver had to be aware that they had hit something, and we ask them to come forward.”
The verderers are offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information that leads to the successful conviction of the driver responsible.
Monday’s incident came as figures showed 19 collisions with Forest livestock were not reported in 2024 – up from 18 in 2023 and 17 in 2022.
Ms Jones pointed out the gelding killed had been involved in an accident as a foal, and its owners decided to keep it to “live his best life on the Forest”.
“I wonder how people can just carry on after hitting something,” she continued.
“I understand that shock maybe an issue, but we want people to do the right thing and call 999 immediately, leaving something to die in agony is heartless.
“Certainly, the gelding suffered before he died, and if the incident had been reported at the time, the agister could have shortened that suffering.”
Earlier on Monday morning, an agister responded to a call reporting a young pony found dead on the side of the road from Hatchet to Lymington.
Initially this was feared to have also been a hit-and-run, but the driver’s details were later passed on to the agister.
Last Thursday, a reminder was posted on New Forest Roads Awareness’s Facebook page for motorists to take care driving through the Forest.
This highlighted the fact that livestock often lick the salt laid on the roads in icy weather.
In a bid to keep them off the roads, the New Forest Commoners Defence Association has been putting out salt licks along key routes.
Ms Jones added: “Livestock are out 24/7 and you should drive to the conditions. Expect it to step out and pass slow and wide.”
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run should contact police online via hampshire.police.uk or call 101, or call the verderers on 023 8028 2052.