Lyndhurst Parish Council proposes volunteer warden scheme to educate on Public Space Protection Orders prohibiting the petting of feeding of New Forest animals

A VOLUNTEER warden scheme designed to educate people on the dangers of feeding and petting New Forest animals is being considered.

Despite New Forest District Council bringing in two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) in 2023, which prohibits the petting or touching of any New Forest pony, horse, mule or donkey, along with feeding or depositing food, there are already incidents occurring at Bolton’s Bench in Lyndhurst.

Anyone caught committing these offences is liable for a fixed penalty fine of £100, rising to £1,000 following a successful prosecution.

Now Lyndhurst Parish Council says it is considering setting up a warden scheme in response to residents’ suggestions to train volunteers to talk to and educate the public on the the dangers of feeding and petting the animals.

Clerk to the parish council, Melanie Wathen, spoke about the issue at the Verderers’ Court last Wednesday. She told the A&T: “My main points were the feeding and petting of livestock, which is already causing problems this year. Local concern is that the summer has not yet started but already we are having problems with the livestock though the actions of people not understanding the ways of the Forest and how the livestock should be treated.

“We have also had an incident where a local donkey managed to push their way through a gate and got out onto the main Southampton Road (A35) by the fire station, while its partner was stuck on the Forest side of the gate.

“The donkeys both became very agitated and kicked and bit out at people before local residents ended up managing to get the donkey back onto the Forest side.”

She explained she also planned to write to the verderers, the New Forest National Park Authority and Forestry England to ask for their backing with the scheme.

A spokesperson for Forestry England, which runs a volunteer ranger scheme assisting full-time rangers in conservation tasks, events and patrols, told the A&T: “We would encourage everyone spending time in the Forest to be aware of and share the New Forest Code.

“This sets out some of the key ways everyone visiting the area can visit responsibly. The code is supported and shared by a wide range of organisations and groups across the area, including local parish councils, tourism bodies, rangers and local businesses.”

As reported in the A&T, last month TV personality and former I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here contestant Gemma Collins was slammed after sharing pictures of herself hugging and stroking New Forest ponies with her two million Instagram followers.

The reality star, who celebrated her birthday at Lyndhurst’s Lime Wood Hotel, shared pictures of herself out in the New Forest.

However, many followers were quick to point out after seeing the photos that the feeding and petting of New Forest ponies and donkeys is prohibited by local bylaws.

Last May, former Neighbours star April Rose Pengilly was branded “utterly irresponsible” after petting and stroking New Forest ponies and then sharing footage with her 130,000 Instagram followers.