Gemma Collins has been blasted by fans on social media after she posted a picture on Instagram of herself hugging a pony in the New Forest.
The reality television star took to social media to share pictures of her spending time in the New Forest on Monday.
However, the media personality faced backlash from followers over one particular picture captioned: “Magical moments with the horses.”
Followers were quick to tell the 44-year-old that anyone touching a free-roaming pony could be fined £1,000 - with social media users saying her post could encourage “bad behaviour.”
One Instagram user said: “As someone whose family and friends own these ponies in the New Forest there are hundreds of signs telling people to stop feeding and touching the ponies, they are wild ponies and unpredictable.
“You can get a £1,000 fine and it encourages bad behaviour meaning they get taken off the forest and even worse hit by cars. Maybe do your research beforehand.”
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Another user added: “I hope you receive a fine for this silly behaviour.”
In a statement on the New Forest National Park’s website, it states: “The public are being asked not to feed or touch the New Forest’s free roaming ponies and donkeys when they visit the area.
“Doing so was made a fineable offence in 2023, in the wake of a series of injuries to the public and several animals dying after being fed human food.
“Two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced by New Forest District Council in July 2023.
“The first prohibits feeding and petting ponies or donkeys, and the second aims to protect the forest from wildfires by banning BBQs and fires.
“Anyone carrying out these activities is liable for a fixed penalty fine of £100, rising to £1,000 following a successful prosecution.”
Responding to Gemma Collins’ Instagram post, another follower said: “This isn't allowed, you'll get fined for doing that in the New Forest.”
The celebrity erupted onto the national scene when she appeared on The Only Way Is Essex in 2011, and later appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.
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