Horse custody row in court

A controversial legal dispute over a horse evicted from a house in Lewis is set to be argued in court.

The Comhairle seized the animal which lived with owner Stephanie Noble in the front room of her home in Broadbay View, Back, for two years.

Animal welfare officials claimed living conditions for the the adult Connemara pony, called Grey Lady Too, into were too cramped.

Since last February, it has been looked after at the Uist Community Riding School in Benbecula and Ms Noble has visiting rights.

27 February 2015

Since last February, it has been looked after at the Uist Community Riding School in Benbecula. Ms Noble has been allowed visiting rights.

But the council wants to sell the horse or donate it to a rescue centre.

Legal action seeking a legal disposal order was suspended at Stornoway Sheriff Court last May.

Now the case has been revived with Sheriff David Sutherland this week giving both sides until April to fine tune their legal pleadings.

The council - which has a responsibility in animal welfare matters - says it was forced to take legal steps over worries for the horse’s health. The Scottish SPCA also raised concerns and offered to rehome the animal.

They acted after a vet certified that the horse’s welfare is of concern and the restricted space with the low height front room and narrow doorways meant the residential house was not a suitable place to keep it.