Council remove animal after vet raises welfare concerns
A pony, which had been stabled during winter in a woman's house in Scotland for more than two years, has been removed by a council.
Stephanie Noble, 67, moved the pony into her semi-detached home in Lewis on the Western Isles on Christmas Eve 2011.
She told a press agency there was nowhere suitable on the island to keep the animal, named Grey Lady Too.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar council informed her in October that she would have to make alterations to her home and that failure to do so would be considered an offence under the animal health and welfare act.
Now the council has removed the animal.
"In the interests of animal welfare, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 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.
"The Comhairle will seek an order from the court to allow us to make more suitable provisions for the future of the pony," said a statement from the authority.
Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, "We had previously advised Ms Noble of our concerns for the welfare of her pony which was being kept in an unsuitable environment.
"Ms Noble was asked to make better provisions for her animal and find appropriate stabling and grazing as required and we understand her pony has since been removed by the local council as a result of her failure to do so."
Image by Frederik De Graeve
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
