THE OWNER of a young donkey knocked down and killed in the New Forest is putting reflective stickers on her animals and appealing for drivers to slow down in a bid to prevent future tragedies.

Young Jo-Jo, who was born in May, was killed after being hit by a car in Sway Road, Brockenhurst, on November 26.

The distinctive snowy white foal, which had been used in a drive safe event at Brockenhurst College earlier this year, was owned by Rob and Genette Byford. On Sunday evening another of their donkeys was also hit on the same road and ran off.

Now Genette, with another New Forest commoner, has attached reflective stickers to some of her other animals in a bid to make them more visible.

And she is urging motorists to take extra care when driving through the Forest.

“We gave Jo-Jo to our two-year-old grandson Sam and I know people don’t go out to kill or injure them on purpose but it is barbaric,” she said.

“I’ve had a number of donkeys and ponies run over and it is heart-breaking every time. People just don’t think about the animals being there.

“If they are knocked over people should call someone straight away so they can either be saved or put out of their misery. We do have reflective collars on most of our animals but I don’t put them on the babies because when they grow the collars get too tight.”

Animals have right of way on New Forest roads and they help to shape the iconic landscape by grazing on the land.

The New Forest National Park Authority says around 70 animals are killed every year, which has led some people to call for the 40mph speed limit to be lowered further across the Forest.

Nigel Matthews, head of recreation management at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: “Sadly this donkey was killed in a 30mph zone within a village and in any case animals can be killed or injured at 30mph or lower speeds.

“The majority of accidents involve local people, many of whom become complacent as they go about their daily business. We are again appealing to drivers to be more careful. We should all drive knowing that there might be an animal on the road ahead.

“They have the road sense of a two-year-old so if one is standing beside the road, drivers should be ready to stop in case it steps into the road at the last minute.”