LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A beloved miniature horse who has lived in the same Louisville neighborhood for 14 years could be forced out of his home because of a recent change to city law, prompting neighbors to rally in an effort to keep him where he is.
Bandit, a miniature horse who lives in the Meriwether neighborhood near Germantown, has been part of the community since he was a foal. His owner, Susan Bruner, said he has lived in her yard his entire life.
In a neighborhood where Bruner says she’s “known as the pony lady,” Bandit regularly draws visitors.
Bandit, a miniature horse who lives in the Meriwether neighborhood near Germantown, could soon be forced out of his home in Louisville due to a recent change to city law. (WDRB photo)
Bruner said people from around the neighborhood stop by to see Bandit regularly.
Bandit has even appeared in a neighbor’s wedding and is featured in years of photos and videos showing children growing up alongside him. Bruner also shared stories about a grandmother who brings her grandchild with autism to spend time with Bandit.
“They’ll stay back here for hours just because that kid does so well,” she said.
Bruner’s yard backs up to Preston Park, making Bandit highly visible. She said that visibility has led to frequent calls to animal control over the years. Each time, she said, inspectors found no issues.
“No violations seen,” she said.
That changed in December, when animal control returned and told her Bandit was no longer in compliance.
“I said, 'well we’re up to compliance' and he said, 'well actually no you’re not,'” Bruner said. “I’m like, 'what do you mean' and he’s like, 'there’s a new ordinance. and I’m like 'no no no no.'”
In October, Metro Council passed an ordinance primarily aimed at requiring cats and dogs to be microchipped.
However, further into the legislation, ponies and miniature horses were added to the list of animals required to be kept on at least one acre of land or more — the same requirement as full-sized horses in Louisville.
Bandit, a miniature horse who lives in the Meriwether neighborhood near Germantown, could soon be forced out of his home in Louisville due to a recent change to city law. (Submitted photo)
Bandit currently lives on about 0.2 acres.
When neighbors learned Bandit might be forced to leave, they quickly organized. A petition gathered more than 500 signatures in a single day, along with messages of support.
“He has a full life, more than a lot of horses or dogs or other animals,” one neighbor said.
Councilwoman Jennifer Chappell, D-15, who sponsored the ordinance, said she was not aware of how the provision involving miniature horses was added.
“Despite being actively engaged in discussions about the microchipping ordinance, I’m unaware of who made this specific edit and why it was added,” Chappell said. “My office is reviewing conversations and documents about the legislation to better understand the origins and intentions of this amendment.”
For Bruner, the situation is deeply personal.
“It makes me feel mad to know someone’s in office voting on things they don’t know anything about,” she said.
Animal control told Bruner her only option to keep Bandit is to appeal the decision in court. The possibility of losing him brings her to tears.
“He’s my baby. I will fight,” she said.
Bruner said Bandit also helps her cope with anxiety.
“I have a lot of disabilities and anxiety and he calms me. He really does,” she said. “He’s like my kid.”
Bruner is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 7 in an effort to save Bandit.
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