‘Deeply distressing’ – New Forest CDA reaction as animal accidents increase in 2025

New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association chair Andrew Parry-Norton has expressed his dismay as the number of accidents involving Commoners’ livestock has increased.

It comes amid the release of the animal accident report for 2025, which outlines the number of incidents involving livestock in the Forest over the year.

During 2025, there were 108 reported animal accidents involving New Forest ponies, cattle and donkeys, resulting in 47 animals being killed. This represents an increase on the previous year, when 97 accidents were recorded and 37 animals lost.

Despite this recent rise, the long-term trend remains encouraging, with animal accident numbers showing a clear overall decline since records began in 1991.

Organisations involved in the New Forest Animal Accidents Reduction Group – including the CDA – are renewing their call for motorists to drive with care, adapt their speed to road and weather conditions, and pass livestock slowly and with plenty of space, helping to keep both people and animals safe.

Andrew outlined the impact each accident can have on New Forest Commoners, saying: ‘Every Commoner dreads the phone call in the evening or the middle of the night from the Agister.

‘Hearing that one of your animals has been killed on the road is devastating. These animals are not just livestock – many have been bred and cared for by the same families for generations, and each one is known and valued.

‘While there is a financial cost, it is nothing compared to the emotional loss felt by the Commoner and their family. Losing an animal in this way is deeply distressing, and with the rise in accidents we are seeing, that impact is being felt far too often across the Forest.’

Although the number of accidents occurring at night fell in 2025 compared with the previous year, night-time remains the period when most incidents take place. Of particular concern is an increase in accidents during daylight and twilight hours.

Hit-and-run incidents also remain stubbornly high, with 18 recorded in 2025, similar to the figures seen in the two preceding years.

‘Drive with care on Forest roads’

It is a legal requirement for any road traffic accident involving New Forest livestock to be reported to the police within 24 hours, even if the animal runs away from the scene.

Providing a What3Words location can greatly assist efforts to locate injured animals. A reward of up to £5,000 is available for information leading to the conviction of a driver who fails to report an animal accident.

Head Agister Jonathan Gerrelli added: ‘It’s very disappointing that the number of accidents has increased, despite the efforts of the organisations involved in trying to reduce them.

‘I would again like to remind drivers to drive with care on Forest roads, drive to the road conditions and pass livestock wide and slow. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident with a Forest animal, please report to the police as soon as possible.

‘The Agisters are on call 24 hours a day to deal with livestock emergencies.’

‘All drivers should expect that, once they cross a cattle grid, they will encounter livestock’

Gilly Jones, New Forest Roads Awareness and Chair of the Animal Accidents Reduction Group, said: ‘The aftermath of an accident has a serious effect on the driver, passengers and witnesses. All drivers should expect that, once they cross a cattle grid, they will encounter livestock.

‘While speeding is a factor, inconsiderate driving around livestock has also caused some of these accidents. The increase in accidents in daylight and twilight is the most worrying statistic.

‘We have to collectively work harder to get these figures back down. We ask companies that use Forest roads to sign up to the New Forest Drive Safe initiative.’

The Animal Accidents Reduction Group includes the CDA, Forestry England, Verderers of the New Forest, New Forest National Park Authority, New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Constabulary, New Forest Trust and British Deer Society.

Full statistics and further information can be found on the New Forest National Park Authority website