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Mini Horse Sparks City Showdown Over Size Rules
1 Oct
Summary
- A woman is fighting to keep her miniature therapy horse.
- City denied license citing large animal regulations for manure storage.
- The owner spent $100,000 on renovations for the horse's shelter.
Judy Hinchey of Newton, Massachusetts, is currently engaged in a legal dispute to retain her miniature horse, Clover, in her home. The city denied Hinchey a license to keep Clover as a pet, classifying the animal as large despite its small stature. This decision came after Hinchey invested $100,000 in renovations to properly house the miniature horse.
Hinchey stated she followed what she understood to be the city's requirements for animal ownership. She noted that Clover is a trained therapy horse, frequently visiting hospitals and nursing homes to bring comfort. However, the city cited complaints about manure odor and stricter manure storage rules, requiring storage 100 feet from property lines, a rule typically for large animals.
City officials maintain that regulations classify all horses as large animals, without exceptions for size. The Health and Human Services Department has ordered Clover to be removed from the property within 21 days. Hinchey plans to appeal the ruling, arguing the city is not differentiating between miniature and full-sized horses.
