New Forest PSPO could see fines for lighting barbeques or feeding and petting ponies
New measures proposed to tackle issues in National Park
Fines could be introduced for people petting or feeding ponies, donkeys and mules in the New Forest or lighting a fire or barbeque.
The New Forest District Council has approved in principle introducing two new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in its area.
Under a PSPO it would be a criminal offence not to comply with its requirements and failure to do so could result in a £100 fixed penalty notice - this would rise to a maximum £1,000 if prosecuted through the Magistrates Court.
BBQs and Fires
The local authority said despite high profile campaigns about the danger of open fires in the National Park 'significant numbers of incidents caused by BBQs and campfires, continue to be recorded.'
Over one weekend in August Forestry England dealt with seven fires.
There would be some exceptions to the PSPO where BBQs and stoves that are purpose built could be lit, this would only be allowed at FE owned campsites at Aldridge Hill, Ashurst, Denny Wood, Hollands Wood, Holmsley, Longbeech, Matley, Ocknell, Roundhill and Setthorns.
Those areas are regularly patrolled and have safety measures in place.
Petting or Feeding animals
The other PSPO would see people banned from 'feeding or providing or depositing food for consumption by any New Forest Pony,Horse, Mule or Donkey; or petting or touching any New Forest Pony, Horse, Mule or Donkey.'
Owners, known as commoners, or the agisters who look after the livestock would be exempt.
In a statement to the NFDC the Head Agister explained some of the issues;
"Unfortunately, ponies can and do get aggressive around food. This leads to competition between the ponies, including kicking and biting, and that aggression can and often is directed at members of the public. As a result, members of the public get knocked over, bitten and even kicked. A direct result of humans feeding the ponies is therefore danger to members of the public."
He also said feeding ponies can be detrimental to their health:
"Members of the public often carry food in plastic bags which if ingested by a pony can cause choking.People quite often dump windfall apples on the Forest, mistakenly believing that they are of benefit to the ponies. On the contrary, apples can not only cause choking but also, if they eat too many, colic which can be fatal to ponies. Carrots can also cause choking. Grass cuttings pose a particular danger. When eaten they ferment in the stomach of the animal, creating gas and that can sometimes lead to a ruptured stomach. Dumping of hedge clippings from gardens can contain material such as yew that is poisonous. Any of these activities can result in a large vet’s bill for the Commoner and in some cases loss of the animal altogether."
Commoner Erika Dovey's pony died after eating carrots dumped on the roadside in January 2021.
The mare was found foaming at the mouth and choking in distress, she suffered irreparable damage to her throat and had to be put to sleep.
The council says it would look to work with partner organisations like rangers to enforce the PSPOs.
A public consultation would be held on the proposed orders with the outcome discussed by the cabinet in Spring.