WILD ponies are being put at risk by illegal fly tipping on the Quantock Hills, it was claimed this week.

Local farmer and Quantock Pony Breeders member Bill Fewings said quantities of waste food, including pasties and bread, had been dumped on a commercial scale in the Crowcombe Park Gate area over the past fortnight.

"It looks as though it is just being tipped out by commercial caterers," said Mr Fewings.

"We've found it around Dead Woman's Ditch and other areas but people don't realise just how dangerous it is for wildlife and the ponies in particular."

Mr Fewings said he and the other Quantock pony breeders - about a dozen in all - could see that some of the fly-tipped food had been eaten by some of the 50 or so ponies kept on the hills.

They have now put up signs warning people not to feed the ponies.

Mr Fewings, who has around 30 ponies on the hills, said only last year he came across a mare choking and close to death with her foal nearby.

"Somebody had given her a whole carrot, which she just couldn't cope with.

"She went down several times and we didn't think she was going to make it.

"People have to understand that they shouldn't feed the ponies anything - it could be fatal."

The warning comes as Somerset County Council's trading standards animal health and welfare team voiced concern at the increase in the number of sheep carcasses being dumped on the roadside and on farm land in the area.

A total of seven carcasses were discovered over a three-week period on land between Heddon Oak and Lower Vexford near Crowcombe.

Legislation requires farmers to make sure that dead farm animals are collected and transported to an approved premise.

Carcasses cannot be buried or burned on farms and trading standards officers say the fly-tipping culprits are letting the farming industry down.

A county council spokesman said: "Those responsible for dumping animal carcasses are committing serious offences.

"They not only risk prosecution but also the spread of animal diseases. Diseases amongst farm animals, such as foot and mouth, can have potentially devastating effects amongst the farming industry.

"Where a carcass is found on private land, where it is possible the owner of the animal will be identified and held responsible for removing it.

"However, if ownership cannot be proven, responsibility for disposal rests with the landowner."

For carcasses dumped on the highway, responsibility for disposal rests with the local district council.

Anyone with information on recent or other incidents is asked to contact the animal and health welfare team on 01823 660050 or email at [email protected]">[email protected].