Legal proceedings against horse lady 16/12/13
The legal proceedings against horse lady Stephanie Ann Noble started in October when the Comhairle presented her with a legal care notice to provide proper housing for the animal.
Council animal health officer Kenny Macleod issued the document under the Animal Health and Welfare Act “to protect the long-term welfare of the animal.”
The deadline ran out in early November and now the Comhairle is taking the next step in the legal proceedings.
Ms Noble now faces faces a possible criminal charge after being reported to the procurator fiscal.
The former riding school operator, originally from Londonderry, bought the animal in Ireland for nearly £1,900 in 2011. She stays in a bedroom upstairs while the rest of her home the house is given over to the horse.
Any ultimate eviction of the horse would depend on the outcome of a vet’s report and Ms Noble has the right to appeal.
A Comhairle spokesperson said: “The case has been referred to the procurator fiscal. We are proceeding with the next steps for the long term welfare of the horse.”
The SSPCA declined to comment on the issue because it is not the agency making the report to the fiscal.