Pony stabled in living room of house 'evicted' by council on animal welfare grounds

A pony has been removed from a house in the Outer Hebrides where it has been stabled in winter-time for two years. Stephanie Noble. 67, moved Grey Lady Too into her semi-detached home in Back, on Lewis, on Christmas Eve 2011. She took the pony into her home because she said there was nowhere suitable on the island to keep the animal.



Comhairle nan Eilean Siar informed Ms Noble in October that she would have to make alterations to her home if she wanted keep the pony indoors. These included widening doors used by Grey Lady Too and more head room for her. The local authority said failure to comply with these conditions would be considered an offence under the animal health and welfare act. The pony has been removed from the property and taken into the care of the council.

A comhairle spokesman said: "In the interests of animal welfare, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar today took possession of a pony from the Back area of Lewis. This action was taken after numerous animal health interventions and following a vet certifying that the pony was likely to suffer if its circumstances did not change." He added: "The comhairle will seek an order from the court to allow us to make more suitable provisions for the future of the pony."

Ms Noble and Grey Lady Too back in January 2012.

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In an interview in January 2012, Ms Noble said: "This is my own property - if I want to even keep an elephant in the house I can. I have had nothing but stick from people because it is unconventional. It is not normal to keep birds in a cage - because they should be flying about - but people don't complain about that. Grey Lady Too is very happy. She goes out to the lawn - though she has eaten a couple of the neighbour's plants - and comes back in the house herself." Ms Noble added: "The pony is very happy in the lounge and the Scottish SPCA have checked her and say she is in good health."