Pony dies after getting caught in rope used for swing

A pony has died after being caught in a rope used to make a swing at a national park.

The animal is believed to have become entangled at a site near Lyndhurst in the New Forest, Hampshire, before spending a night trying to free itself. It was found on Saturday.

The accident has prompted warnings about the danger makeshift rope swings pose to wildlife.

Authorities in the national park said rope swings could also be dangerous to humans as trees were liable to break.

The New Forest is home to about 5,000 free-roaming ponies and their welfare is overseen by agisters.

Agister Robert Maton said the pony had its hind leg caught in a thin rope and must have been "floundering and fighting" all night for its survival.

Trapped in a boggy dip made worse by wet weather, it had exhausted itself by the time it was found and had to be euthanised.

The rope has since been removed and visitors have been urged to be mindful of the animals who live there and to clean up after themselves to avoid any future incident.