Neighbours’ April Rose Pengilly criticised for petting ponies in New Forest

Under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), “petting or touching any New Forest pony, horse, mule or donkey” is banned, along with “feeding or providing or depositing food.”

Anyone carrying out these activities is liable for a fixed penalty fine of £100, rising to £1,000 following a successful prosecution.

The order was introduced in 2023 following instances of injuries to the public and animals dying after being fed human food.

The New Forest Code, external also urges visitors to “keep your distance from the animals – don’t feed or touch them”.

Ponies, pigs, cattle and donkeys, owned by the New Forest’s commoners, are allowed to roam freely on the open forest under ancient rights tied to their properties.

Forest ranger Erika Dovey, also a commoner, said visitors should exercise “common sense”.

She added: “A lot of people want to have selfies, start touching donkeys or stroking the ponies – the ponies get aggressive and it often ends in a bad way with a kick or a bite.

“People think they are fluffy quiet animals, when really they are wild animals which shouldn’t be touched

“Let’s use social media to send out these positive messages – do a bit of research if you are going to visit a place, look to see the dos and don’ts.”

Pengilly, 36, featured in the soap when it was shown on Channel 5, before being revived on Prime Video.