A sheriff has ordered a legal debate over the case of a horse “taken into care” by the Comhairle.
The local authority seized the adult Connemara pony which lived with owner Stephanie Noble inside her home in Broadbay View, Back, on Lewis, for two years.
The council claimed its welfare was at risk as living conditions were too cramped.
It rehomed the animal, called Grey Lady Too, in riding stables on the island of Benbecula.
Legally, the animal belongs to Ms Noble and the council is forced to continue to fork out for its food, shelter and vet expenses.
Now, the authority wants to sell the horse plus reclaim the hefty bills in looking after it for the past year.
Ms Noble is contesting the move and her lawyer told Stornoway Sheriff Court the council’s legal action is incompetent.
Sheriff Mungo Bovey instructed both sides to be ready to argue contentious legal issues in a hearing to be called next month.
The hearing could determine if the council had correct legal paperwork to seize the animal.
If the case is not thrown out at the next stage, a full civil trial looks likely to take place in the summer.
Sheriff orders legal debate over horse-
23 April 2015