Owner to challenge ruling on miniature horse Clover
By Peter Eliopoulos
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NEWTON, Massachusetts (WCVB) — A Newton, Massachusetts, woman is planning to appeal to superior court after the city denied her request to keep her pet miniature horse, Clover, in her backyard, citing regulations that classify the animal as large.
The dispute arose after Newton’s health and human services commissioner denied Judy Hinchey a license to keep Clover in an Auburndale backyard.
The issue centers on whether a miniature horse should be considered a large animal.
According to city regulations, large animals such as horses, cattle, and donkeys must have their manure stored at least 100 feet away from property lines, which is not possible on the woman’s lot.
Hinchey said she interpreted the miniature horse to be a small animal, which would only require a 10-foot setback for manure storage. She also said other city departments shared her interpretation and issued permits for the infrastructure to house the horse.
Hinchey said she spent her entire savings of $100,000 to build the necessary facilities, believing she was following the rules.
“I really thought that I was following the rules, and we clearly have a different interpretation of whether a mini horse is a large animal or not. It’s actually, by definition, a small horse,” she said.
Newton’s health and human services commissioner issued the decision on the appeal, writing in part, “A miniature horse is a breed of horse and thus, based on the regulations, constitutes a large animal.”
The decision follows complaints from neighbors about the smell of manure. The city has given the owner 21 days to remove Clover from the property.
Hinchey said she has garnered support and plans to fight back in court.
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