Commoners’ Defence Association issue lead warning after Australian cattle dog seen aggressively chasing New Forest pony at Wilverley Plain, near Brockenhurst
SHOCKING photos of a dog aggressively chasing a New Forest pony have prompted a warning for owners to keep their pets on leads.
The pictures show what’s thought to be an Australian cattle dog baring its teeth and chasing a mare at Wilverley Plain, a very popular spot for dog walkers.
The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association said there is a growing problem of dogs terrorising livestock and scaring away nesting birds at the national park.
Andrew Norton, a local farmer and chair of the group, said: “It’s certainly becoming more of a problem nationally, and indeed here in the Forest.
“The majority are very good, it’s just a small minority that causes the problems.
“It doesn’t matter how cute and fluffy your dog is, it will chase if livestock run away from it, I think it’s an in-bred pack instinct, and people need to be aware of it.
“If you come across livestock while out walking, please put your dog on a lead and give them a wide berth.
“There can be lots of foals around at this time of year that will be running around having fun, and there is also a danger of dogs scaring off nesting birds around this time - people need to be sensible.
“The New Forest is huge, there’s plenty of space here for all of us.
“Luckily the mare involved is okay and she didn’t need any vet treatment; New Forest ponies are tough.”
The photographer who captured the incident was walking in the Forest when he saw a dog run out from the woods towards a grazing pony.
The photographer, who didn’t want to be named, said: “The dog approached the pony and really started barking at it.
“We think it might have been an Australian cattle dog, a breed which bites at the ankles of livestock to make them move.
“The pony moving got the dog more excited and it started barking and barking at it.
“Eventually the owners came over very nonchalantly and after a while, managed to get the dog away.
“The whole incident lasted five minutes, it must have been five minutes of terror for the pony.”
As reported in the A&T, the New Forest District Council approved an order criminalising feeding the wild ponies, horses, mules and donkeys roaming the forest after advice to not feed the animals was being ignored “on a daily basis”.
