A Shetland pony has reportedly been banned from his local pub, despite being the village's mayor.
Patrick the pony made headlines last week when he was appointed mayor of Cockington, Devon.
But the miniature Shetland can no longer enjoy a drink with locals, as he was barred from his favourite watering hole by council bosses, according to his owners.
Patrick had previously enjoyed many visits to The Drum Inn - and he was even spotted downing a Guinness after his historic nomination.
But the pint-sized animal must go elsewhere for a tipple now, as a planning enforcement officer told the pub they need planning permission for Patrick to be allowed to graze in the pub garden.
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Previously, the therapy pony, who visits recovery groups, hospitals and mental health wards, relaxed alongside his friends in an "interaction pen" in the pub's garden.
But the pony's owners Kirk and Hannah Petrakis had to remove the fencing following the decision - which locals have blasted as "disgusting" and "selfish".
Kirk claimed: "A very emotional afternoon having to take down Patrick’s interaction pen in The Drum Inn garden.
"The Drum Inn was very upset. Someone made a complaint to the council. It just feels very unfair.
"It was a very sad day yesterday, but myself, Patrick and Hannah will continue to support our lovely friends and will not be defeated by powers that be."
Patrick was given his special title at a ceremony held on Saturday, July 23, after hundreds backed an online campaign to elect him to the post following the death of previous mayor Don Mills.
While he was recently moved away due to a lack of suitable winter grazing, he regularly travels back to Cocklinton with his owners Kirk and Hannah.
Patrick Cain, who lives nearby in Torquay, has already created a petition to make the council allow the pony back on the boozer’s lawn.
He said: "We want this decision changed. We want them to allow Patrick to graze in the pub garden where the public can delight in watching him enjoy the grass.
"Torbay Council need to stop being so petty and allow a little joy into the lives of residents and visitors alike!”
Caroline Shapter added: “Good heavens what is wrong with Torbay Council?
"No compassion for animals or people that help others.
"I am more than disgusted."
And Joannie Dunn, from Torquay, raged: "How much has he bought to Torbay for tourists - disgusting!"
Torbay MP Kevin Foster has also blasted the "overreaction".
He said: " I'm stunned that this has been the reaction of the council. There really must be more important things they can be doing with their time at the moment.
"To be clear this pen wasn’t his home; it wasn't stabled buildings. It’s just a little wooden pen in a village that's famous for horse and carriage rides.
"I’m very happy to work with Kirk and Hannah, his owners, to get him back doing his bit for the local community."
A Torbay Council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that following a complaint from a member of the public, an enforcement case has been opened into the erection of unauthorised timber fencing and the display of advertisements within the beer garden of the Drum Inn, Cockington.
"This is in a designated conservation area and is next to a listed building, and we need to ensure historic areas like this are protected from unauthorised development.
"The Council has not received or approved any planning applications for the fencing or the change of use for horses. Officers have now raised concerns over the suitability of these unauthorised works, the potential change of use of land and the impact this has on the conservation area and nearby listed building.
"We have written to the landlord of the public house advising that the works are considered a breach of planning legislation. We are now encouraging them to engage with the Planning Department to find a more acceptable solution, to either remove the works or to submit a retrospective planning application."
The Drum Inn has been contacted.
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