Moorland animal deaths involving vehicles have risen — with nine killed in just ten days this month — renewing calls for motorists to slow down.

Three ponies and six sheep were killed on Dartmoor roads including Plasterdown, Peek Hill, Two Bridges and Sampford Spiney, from September 8 to September 18. One incident saw the gruesome death of a foal which had been reportedly dragged 30 to 35 metres after it was hit.

Dartmoor livestock protection officer Karla McKechnie said that deaths of moorland animals involving vehicles was ‘definitely increasing’. ‘We are having a terrible time with road traffic accidents,’ she said.

Dousland resident Isobel Parris started a petition last year for the speed limit to be reduced to a maximum of 40mph in unfenced areas within Dartmoor National Park where animals graze freely. Her petition, which received almost 8,000 signatures, also highlighted the death toll across Dartmoor involving animals and vehicles even within 40mph areas.

‘Research has shown that speeding on the moor has increased as have injuries to horses and riders,’ said Karla.

‘Highways, police, BHS [British Horse Society] and other stakeholders have been collecting data which confirms that there is an increase in speeding and that accidents involving horses and riders have increased.

‘Sadly whilst this research continues more animals are being killed and injured.

‘One pony that was killed was almost halved and carried 30 to 35 metres. This has got to stop — the continuing death and injury toll is unacceptable.’

Organisations including Devon County Council, the police and the Peninsula Road Safety Partnership have been working together and engaging with Dartmoor commoners and the Dartmoor National Park Authority to identify safety issues on the roads.

A Devon County Council spokesman said: ‘Previous joint initiatives such as the Dartmoor 40mph speed limit, which was aimed at open moorland roads, have significantly reduced the number of collisions with stock animals.

‘To build on this work Devon County Council and our colleagues at Devon and Cornwall Police and Peninsula Road Safety Partnership have been engaging with the Dartmoor commoners and DNPA for some months now.

‘Attention is on both the safety of road users and the threats posed to moorland animals.

‘Speed enforcement is a central feature of that engagement and we are working with everyone to provide support and enforcement interventions where required.’

A spokesperson from DNPA said there would be a new Dartmoor Rural Crime Partnership launched in October. ‘Through the partnership, a working group is focusing on road safety on Dartmoor and reducing accidents to both people and animals.’

If you come across an injured animal, report it to Karla McKechnie on 07873 587561, 24 hours a day.