A Clapham resident has been told to dismantle fences surrounding an enclosure for Shetland ponies in their back garden.
Neighbours complained that the property near Clapham Common had farmyard animals in their back garden in June - sparking a council visit which discovered several Shetland ponies.
Wandsworth Council has ordered the homeowner to take down a three-metre fence constructed around the garden at the terraced ground floor flat where the animals were kept. It said it had informed the RSPCA over a "welfare concern" for the ponies.
“The structure appeared unsightly, poorly constructed and visually imposing,” said council officers in a report about the fence.
“The owner … has refused to remove or lower the fences when asked by officers and has stated that they have been installed as they are being "watched", making reference to cameras purportedly installed nearby."
Speaking at a council meeting on Tuesday night, planning enforcement officer Craig Raybould said: "One of the first things we did was report the ponies to the RSPCA owing to welfare concerns."
The breed, which are the smallest type of horse, have an average height of around a metre. The fence was higher than allowed without planning permission, meaning it now must be reduced in size.
The RSPCA said it was unable to discuss specific cases.
“Generally speaking, we may not always like the conditions some animals are kept in but an animal can only be seized by police, with vet support, when the law has been breached," said the spokesperson.
“Where the law has not been broken we do all we can through advice and education to improve the care of animals.”
