Two ponies and a pig die after another four hit-and-runs amid surge in New Forest

ANOTHER four hit-and-runs involving New Forest livestock during the past week saw the deaths of two ponies and a pig.

The latest incidents came after the previous week saw three hit-and-runs in which a cow and a pony died, as campaigners urged people to report suspected offenders.

Head agister Jonathan Gerrelli had to destroy a grey mare injured in a collision with a vehicle which failed to stop on the B3078 Black Gutter. He had been alerted at 5.20pm last Monday.

At 8pm last Wednesday, Mr Gerrelli was called to a hit-and-run on the B3058 at Wootton which injured a brown mare, which was wearing a reflective collar.

The other two fatal hit-and-runs took place at the end of the week, with Mr Gerrelli putting down a bay two-year-old filly after being called to the B3054 at Beaulieu Heath at 12.30pm last Friday.

Agister Peter Rix was then called to the B3078 at Salisbury Trench at 2pm the next day, when he had to destroy a pig injured by a vehicle which again did not stop.

A Charolais X calf had to be put down by agister Mike Lovell after he was called at 8.30pm last Wednesday after a crash on the B3054 at Hilltop.

Mr Rix also responded to a call-out at 9pm last Thursday, reporting a collision involving a dark-coloured pony on Abbottswell Road. However, nothing was found.

As reported by the A&T, a surge in hit-and-run animal collisions prompted a reminder by New Forest Roads Awareness that a £5,000 could be claimed by those who report offenders.

Calling on people with relevant dash cam footage to come forward, group spokesperson Gilly Jones said the verderers Hit and Run Reward Scheme paid out for information leading to a conviction.

She also appealed for local garages to play their part, saying: “Any vehicle with front or side damage, with blood or hair, is likely to have been involved in a hit-and-run.”

Ms Jones continued: “Deliberately leaving an animal to suffer is an offence.

“Either drivers didn’t know what to do, or had something to hide. You must call 999 if you are involved in or witness an accident.

“If you saw anything, please call or email 101, ring the verderers, Crimestoppers or contact us.

“It can all be done anonymously.”