THE secretary of Exmoor Pony Society is warning drivers to slow down after another pony had to be destroyed after being hit by a car.

Police discovered the seriously injured animal on North Hill at around 4am Tuesday January 6, and a vet was called to the scene.

The pony had a broken leg and had to be put down.

Sue McGeever from the Exmoor Pony Society said: “Sadly this is not an isolated incident and there have been several accidents involving ponies on the moor in the last 12 months, some of them fatal.

“We would urge people to slow down when driving over the moor, particularly at night, when ponies, cattle and sheep can stray across the road without warning. If you are involved in an accident or see one happen, please call the police straight away.”

National Park ranger Richard Eales said: “We don’t know how long the pony had been there, but it is disappointing to think that someone could have injured an animal so badly and not bothered to report it, hence it was left suffering for a number of hours before being humanely dispatched.

“We would like to thank the Minehead police officers and White Lodge Vets for their quick response in dealing with the matter.”

Anyone who has any information about the accident can call the police non-emergency number 101 quoting AS-20150106 0082 or call in at Minehead Police Station between 10am-6pm Monday to Friday and ask for Team 4.