Police are hunting for the killer of a young New Forest pony, which was found dead with wounds from a shotgun.

It is believed that the culprit was a poacher who shot the four-year-old filly in the mistaken belief it was a deer.

Authorities believe the animal was shot in the early hours of Wednesday morning, by a poacher hunting under the cloak of darkness.

A spokesperson from Hampshire police said: "The four-year-old filly had wounds likely to have been caused by shotgun pellets.

"We are investigating the circumstances of the animal's death. "

Local councillor Edward Heron who is the deputy chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority told the Daily Echo: "An incident like this one is incredibly rare and I have never heard of anything like this happening in this area.

"It's quite worrying but we will have to await the outcome of the police investigation."

Tony Hockley, from the New Forest Commoners tweeted that he believed it to be poachers.

He wrote: "Poaching can be a problem in open access areas but this is an unusual incident to happen here.

"I would advise people that no additional action needs to be taken.

"This is a one off incident, horses and ponies are safe here and that's why an incident like this even more shocking.