The island woman who shares her home with a horse has failed to comply with council demands to make alterations so the animal can remain there.
The deadline for work to be carried out ran out last night.
Stephanie Noble was ordered to change the width of doors in her home on Lewis so that her pony, Grey Lady Too, can continue to live in her lounge as it has done for nearly two years.
Western Isles Council had demanded that doors used by the horse must be at least 4ft wide.
The council is also insisting that the four-year-old dappled grey must have at least 2ft clearance above its head while in the living room at the home in Back.
But a defiant Ms Noble, who has been served with an animal care notice, says she will fight the moves and is now threatening to sue the council for £50,000 damages over the “harassment”.
Ms Noble, 67, said that she had no choice but to move her pony into her home after the animal was allegedly “dumped” on her lawn on Christmas Eve two years ago following a dispute with the owner of the land where the filly had previously grazed.
Having the horse in the lounge resulted in visits by the Scottish SPCA and the local environmental health department.
But Ms Noble says she is doing nothing wrong and the pony is well cared for.
Ms Noble said: “I spoke with the council yesterday and told them that some of their points are completely bonkers.
“I am expecting a visit from them in the next few days.
“I cannot carry out the work. It would be cheaper for me to build a stable.
“I am not handing her over. This is my own property and if I want to keep an elephant in the house I can.
“The pony is very happy in the lounge and the Scottish SPCA have checked her and say she is good health.”
The council’s animal welfare officer Kenny Macleod said the action was being taken under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act because initial arrangements “borne out of necessity” had become permanent.
Mr Macleod says that the “current arrangements” do not comply with the legislation “and in my opinion the horse is likely to suffer if its circumstances do not change”.
Scottish SPCA said the horse was in very good condition.