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Anyone who feeds or pets ponies in the New Forest could be prosecuted and fined £1,000 in council plans that have now been approved.

Following overwhelming support in a public consultation, New Forest District Council (NFDC) has approved two public spaces protection orders (PSPOs). One bans lighting fires and barbecues, the other the feeding and petting of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the forest.

“Over the years, the dangers associated with members of the public feeding and petting roaming forest animals have been well documented, publicised and the subject of numerous high-profile campaigns, all with the aim of discouraging such behaviour,” the council said when it launched its public consultation on the plans last year. “It is evident that such behaviour continues on a large scale.”

A report on the PSPOs presented to the council’s cabinet last November set out the detrimental effect of petting and feeding, “namely a substantial risk that these activities increase the aggression of New Forest ponies, horses, mules or donkeys towards humans in the locality causing alarm and distress”.

It added that the practices also have a financial impact on New Forest commoners when animals are harmed, and means a risk of the equids’ being withdrawn from the area “to the detriment of the New Forest commoners and those who live, work or visit” the area concerned.

“As well as physical harm or worse caused to New Forest ponies, horses, mules or donkeys,” the report stated.

The PSPOs ban “feeding or providing or depositing food for consumption by any New Forest pony, horse, mule or donkey” as well as petting or touching the animals, in a set area “principally comprises the perambulation of the New Forest”.

Of those who took part in the consultation, 95% agreed with the PSPO on lighting fires and barbecues, and 91% on the ban on feeding and petting animals.

At a meeting on 5 April, the council’s cabinet agreed that based on evidence presented last year and these consultation results, “the relevant legal tests have been met” and it is appropriate to implement the PSPOs.

Anyone breaching the bans would be committing a criminal offence and could face a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, or prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000.

“PSPOs, if used proportionately and in the right circumstances, allow us and our partners to counter unreasonable and persistent behaviour as they grant stronger enforcement powers and the ability to issue fixed penalties for breaches,” an NFDC spokesman said.

“Although the vast majority of people enjoying the forest do so with due regard to the New Forest Code, by making these PSPOs NFDC expects a reduction in anti-social behaviour associated with wildfires and barbecues on the forest, and the feeding and petting of forest animals, all of which are detrimental to the local community.

“Formal enforcement will be used proportionately, and there will be information issued about these new restrictions and clear signage will be in place.”

The PSPOs are expected to come into force on 1 July.

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