World · Europe · 8 hrs ago
New Forest pony dies after becoming trapped in rope swing
A New Forest pony died after getting trapped in swing rope near Foldsgate Enclosure, Pikes Hill, in Hampshire.
The pony’s hind leg became caught, and it is believed to have been trapped overnight in a boggy area.
It was found exhausted and had to be put down.
The New Forest is home to about 5,000 free-roaming ponies, whose welfare is overseen by agisters.
The incident has prompted warnings that loose ropes can become deadly traps for wildlife.
Officials also say rope swings can endanger people if the tree or branch supporting them breaks.
The ropes and swings have been removed, and visitors are being asked to report swings and leave no ropes behind.
A pony died after becoming entangled overnight in a thin rope linked to swings in the New Forest.
The pony was found exhausted in a boggy area near Foldsgate Enclosure, Pikes Hill, and was euthanised.
Agister Robert Maton removed the rope and the three associated swings.
People have been warned that hanging ropes can trap wildlife and that swing branches may be unsafe for people.
Sally Marsh urged visitors to report rope swings and avoid leaving them in the Forest.
- Who
- A New Forest pony died after getting caught in a rope.
- What
- The pony became entangled in a rope linked to swings and was euthanised. The incident prompted warnings about rope swings.
- When
- The incident is thought to have happened the night before the pony was discovered late on Saturday morning.
- Where
- Near Foldsgate Enclosure, Pikes Hill, in the New Forest.
- Why
- The pony’s leg became caught in a long, thin rope. How it became entangled is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The pony is thought to have become trapped in the rope.
The pony was discovered in a boggy area, exhausted and unable to free itself.
Agister Robert Maton euthanised the pony and removed the rope and three swings.
- Location
- Near Foldsgate Enclosure, Pikes Hill, in the New Forest
- Entanglement
- The pony’s hind leg was caught in a thin rope
- Swings
- The rope was linked to three rope swings
- Animal welfare
- The pony was euthanised after being found exhausted
- Removal
- Agister Robert Maton removed the rope and swings
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What people are saying
The New Forest is a precious, living landscape, not a playground where we can leave things behind without considering the consequences.
Harmless fun should never cost an innocent animal its life.
hanging up any ropes anywhere is really hazardous.
The poor pony had lost the will to live and was in such a state, it felt kinder to put it out of its misery.