Apples dumped in New Forest are risk to ponies, verderers warn

UNWANTED seasonal apples dumped in the New Forest could endanger the lives of ponies and donkeys, the Official Verderer has warned.

In an address to the Verderers' Court, Lord Manners said autumn was often the time when people had a glut of apples and other fruits they would not eat.

He said: “As usual at this time of year, we appeal to residents and other members of the public not to dump any foodstuffs on the Forest that the animals might find attractive, especially near the roadside.”

Labelling the behaviour “extremely dangerous and inconsiderate”, Lord Manners said: “It encourages animals to the roadside and puts them at greater risk of being involved in road traffic accidents.”

Even when discarded away from the roadside, dumped food still represents a “potential risk” for creatures, said Lord Manners.

He went on: “Carrots, especially when chopped, represent a real risk of choke, and consuming too many apples may give a pony or donkey fatal colic.”

Stating dumped hay was also an ongoing problem, Lord Manners said this was often old hay discarded by horse-owners who felt it was not good enough to feed to own animals.

He added that another consequence of dumped food was injury and aggression among animals competing to eat it.

Lord Manners warned: “Depositing anything on the Forest constitutes flytipping and, if the culprit is caught, he or she may be prosecuted in the magistrates' court.”