WITH reference to the donkeys attacking people at Hatchet Pond (Daily Echo, June 2), ponies and horses have had the right to graze on “open forest” and have been grazing at the pond for years.

It’s the tourists and picnickers who are causing the trouble. They have food spread everywhere and the animals are attracted to it.

People have been told for years not to feed the ponies and donkeys as it encourages them to go on to the road in search of food from cars, and then they get run over.

No wonder there are so many animal deaths in and around Beaulieu at the moment. Even feeding the ducks is not wise.

Every time a grazing animal sees a paper bag they associate it with food. I’ve had a herd of horses running over to me from 100 yards away just because I took a ball from my pocket for my dogs.

You have to respect all animals and wildlife and use a bit of sense when visiting the Forest.

The animals have every right to be there. There is a simple solution to this problem: there should be a notice saying “feeding animals and picnicking prohibited”.

M. MATCHAM, Hythe.