Andrew Parry Norton, president of the New Forest Commons Defense Association, which represents New Forest commoners and their animals, urged people to stay away from livestock and to report cases of livestock showing signs of aggression .

“We share the forest with a lot of people,” he said. “We, as commoners, also have responsibility.”

Hampshire County Council said in a statement: “While the County Council would install road-related signs, primarily intended for drivers, livestock responsibility, on land crossed by a right of way, and any required signs associated, would fall to the owners of the animals.”