New Forest Roads Awareness campaigner Gilly Jones hits out at ‘unfit’ drivers after second pony fatally injured in a hit-and-run within a week
A SECOND pony fatally injured in a hit-and-run collision within a week has prompted a campaigner to slam the standard of driving in the New Forest.
The gelding was put down after being found near Setley Pond around 3.15pm on Wednesday – four days after another wounded pony was found in Brockenhurst.
Gilly Jones, of New Forest Roads Awareness, hit out at motorists “unfit for Forest roads”, having seen speeding and ponies being nudged.
Posting online, she wrote: “The fifth pony to be hit in the area this year was put out his misery due to a horrific wound to his side.
“Someone must have seen something as it's mid-afternoon on a busy road.
“By Setley Pond, so again a long straight road, But the collision may have happened further down that road.”
As reported by the A&T, three-year-old filly Total Eclipse was put down by agister Robert Maton after being found with a broken leg on Sunday.
She was thought to have suffered for several days after being struck by a vehicle, which failed to stop, in the area of Sway Road, Setley Road and Latchmoor.
Ms Jones said at the time: “While no vehicle debris has been found, there must have been damage, as her wounds show that she was skittled down the road.”
A £5,000 reward is on offer for information that results in the conviction of the hit-and-run driver in each of the incidents.
Posting after the latest one, Ms Jones added: “I was in that area yesterday with a stock trailer on my truck, and was shocked at the driving I saw.
“Ponies have for decades shaded under the railway bridges. The driving I saw was unfit for Forest roads, not always speed, but driving too close and even trying to 'nudge' a pony out of the way.”
People took to the post’s comments to share their anger and frustration.
One wrote: “It doesn't surprise me at all. Just last night I witnessed several cars driving at speeds in excess of motorway traffic heading to Bolderwood from Stoney Cross.
“High-powered cars seem to enjoy the straight road without a care in the world for all the mares with foals and donkeys young and old migrating along that stretch.
“Sooner or later there is going to be an extremely serious crash along that stretch.”
Another said: “I just can't get my head around firstly the speeding in the Forest and secondly the amount of heartless people who can do this and then just leave the poor thing in agony.
“This is a really worrying statistic. I drive like I'm half blind in the Forest. I know it annoys some people who are up my backside, but I really don't care.”
Anyone with information should contact police online via hampshire.police.uk or by calling 101, or call the Verderers on 023 8028 2052, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.