IT has been reported that the number of animal deaths within the New Forest is increasing. No doubt many people watched Inside Out, where Chris Packham rightly pointed out that far too many ponies, cows, donkeys are turned out and their owners do receive payment, for doing that. Apparently nearly 15,000 animals graze the Forest when their numbers, use to be kept to 5,000. That is probably why so many road accidents in the National Park do involve privately-owned animals. In respect of cows and pigs, they are being fattened up, for meat.

Then there are people who say the Forest would become over-grown. I say, instead it would mean the deer have a better chance of finding food and not destroying gardens.

Indeed deer are culled!

Richard Grant

Burley