ANIMAL owners in the New Forest are using a graphic poster in the battle against hit-and-run drivers.

A photograph of a badly injured pony is being delivered to garages following a spate of incidents in which motorists collided with livestock and failed to report the incident.

Campaigners are hoping that mechanics repairing a damaged vehicle will alert the authorities if they think it was involved in an animal accident.

The poster says: “This pony was knocked down and left to die by a callous driver more worried about their car than the immense pain and suffering just inflicted on this innocent creature.”

Four hit-and-run accidents occurred in the Forest in May, followed by another four last month – all in the same week.

A foal died after being involved in two hit-and-run accidents on the same road.

Some of the most recent collisions have occurred in the Bramshaw area. Sisters Sarah and Kay Harrison lost a pig and two sheep in two incidents in as many days.

The sheep were dragged 30ft and left badly injured in the middle of the road as the driver sped off.

The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA), which represents animal owners, said a third of the 100 collisions that occurred last year went unreported.

Unveiling the new poster, the CDA said garage owners were being asked to display it in a prominent position.

“Hopefully garage workers will contact the police or the Verderers if they suspect that a vehicle brought in for repair has been involved in a hit-and-run with a pony, cow, donkey, pig or sheep,” said a CDA spokesman.

The Verderers pay a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of drivers who fail to tell the authorities about an accident.

Commoners say many collisions are not reported because the person responsible was either drunk, uninsured or driving a stolen car.

Police investigating one of the Bramshaw incidents are anxious to trace a purple V-reg Honda CRV that was seen in the area.