A BLACK 18 hours on New Forest roads saw three ponies die after collisions with hit-and-run drivers.

Another pony, a filly foal, died as the result of a collision, which was reported.

That accident happened at Hincheslea between Wootton and Brockenhurst.

New Forest agister Jonathan Gerrelli had to shoot the animal, which had suffered a broken leg.

Just 15 hours later its mother was killed at the same spot.

Agister Robert Maton was called out to deal with the mare which was dead when he arrived.

At 6.30pm Mr Gerrelli had been called to another hit-and-run incident in which a filly foal died at nearby Setthorns.

At 2.45am on Tuesday Mr Maton was called to the third hit and run which involved a Shetland pony in Pilley near Lymington.

He said there are no excuses for a driver not calling the police if they are involved in an animal accident, even if they leave it for a few minutes until they get home.

"It's a completely disgusting thing to do to leave an animal to suffer. It's very cruel," he said.

The mare that lost its foal could have been stressed and searching for its offspring.

"If she had suffered a broken leg she could have wandered off for days until maybe someone found her with a septic leg."

PC Steve Harding said the car involved in the second Hincheslea crash was possibly a light coloured Renault Clio. It has a smashed windscreen and damage to its nearside, body, wing mirror and mud flap.

The driver, a man in his early 40s, had a blonde woman passenger of about the same age.

"We very much want to hear from this driver, so we can let the mare's owners know the circumstances of her death," said PC Harding. Call him on 0845 045 4545.

First published: Oct 21