DRIVERS who run down and kill New Forest ponies more than once should have their cars crushed, a leading animal owner has said.

The controversial proposal was made by Michael Cooper, former chairman of the New Forest Commoners' Defence Association after he heard two mares had had to be put down after a collision with a car on Sunday morning.

A young woman driver from Bournemouth is alleged to have hit three ponies on the Burley to Brockenhurst road near the Wootton Bridge junction shortly before 7am.

She claimed she was blinded by the sun as she was travelling to work.

The deaths bring the number of animals killed on unfenced forest roads to more than 50 so far compared to last year's total of 131.

The two mares suffered broken legs and had to be put down leaving two orphaned foals, one also injured by the accident.

Mr Cooper said there was currently no deterrent strong enough to make people drive more safely.

He told the Daily Echo: "If somebody hits a pony once, okay. But if it happens again, they should crush the vehicle, the same as they do if there's no excise licence."

Tourists and residents in the Forest yesterday said crushing cars would be a step too far.

They have suggested alternatives such as reducing speed limits, heavy fines, more policing and posters notifying motorists how many animals have died.

Head agister Jonathan Gerrelli, who put the mares down, said: "The real unfortunate thing is that it's nearly always local drivers. It's lack of awareness, people being complacent. They need to think, day or night, there's livestock that could step out in front of you."