DAMNING criticism has been levelled at Dartmoor National Park Authority by a welfare society over animal deaths on unfenced roads.
The Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, which holds its annual meeting this weekend, claims the only way to reduce the number of animals killed on busy moorland roads is to fence them.
It has even had postcards printed for those in favour of the move to send to the park authority.
Dee Ivey, chairman of the DLPS, said in her annual report: 'Criticism has to be levelled at the National Park Authority as it holds out against fencing in its single- minded pursuit of preserving Dartmoor as it was 50 years ago.
'This is an unrealistic ideal when change is occurring in so many ways on Dartmoor.'
She said DNP has approved many changes which have seen the moor turned into a recreation park with grazing animals.
'Now the authority must approve another change and allow fencing to protect the free-roaming animals with a longer history of rights to the moor than any single motor vehicle,' she said.
The society accepts the imposition of a 40mph speed limit is 'sensible in general terms' but claims it is 'almost ineffectual' in preventing animal accidents.
Dousland farmer's wife Justine Colton said: 'Shooting a pony at 10.30pm with a vet in attendance and a policeman looking the other way is no fun.'
Mike Nendick, of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said they had not received the Livestock Protection Society's annual report and could not comment until they had done so.
'Once we have seen it we will make a suitable reply,' he said.
The DLPS annual meeting takes place this Saturday at the Cherrybrook Hotel, Two Bridges, beginning at 2pm.