Legal battle over horse

Sheriff suspends legal battle over horse 22/5/14

A controversial legal fight over the ownership of a horse evicted from a house in Lewis has been temporarily frozen.

At Stornoway Sheriff Court, Sheriff David Sutherland granted suspension of the case to allow at Stephanie Noble time to seek legal aid.

Stephanie Ann Noble is challenging Western Isles Council ’s legal authority to apply for a formal disposal order to allow the horse to be sold or donated to a rescue centre.

Sheriff David Sutherland will hear arguments from solicitors from both sides when the row returns to court, expected to be in the coming months.

The Comhairle seized the adult Connemara pony, called Grey Lady Too, from Stephanie Ann Noble after it had been living in her front room for over two years.

At the end of February, welfare officers from the council supervised the removal of the animal from its grazing spot at Broadbay View, Back, on Lewis.

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.