IT HAS been revealed Batlow woman Kathy Pope and Tumut Shire Council have collectively spent more than $80,000 fighting a bitter legal dispute over whether a horse named Missy Moo can remain on Batlow's main street.
The revelations come as Tumut council prepares further legal action against Ms Pope to have the mare removed from the yard of her home after claims she had not complied with a court order to upgrade water management facilities.
According to council, an adjoining IGA supermarket is bearing the brunt of "highly contaminated" discharge.
Ms Pope said she has carried out the works, the water is not contaminated and council is trying to save face.
"They know there is not much more they can do until they break me financially," she said.
"They have taken my entire life savings. I'm one of those stupid idiots that say it's the principle of the matter.
"I've never come up against a council that is so blatantly drunk on its own power."
The years-long pursuit - fuelled by concerns about contaminated storm water run-off, odours and vermin infestation - was inflamed earlier this year when council tested the water discharge on Ms Pope's property.
Tumut Shire Council development and environment manager Paul Mullins confirmed council completed testing and was not satisfied water quality had improved.
"Council is in the process of preparing a case for this to go back to court," he said.
"She is claiming that she has complied with the court order, we contend that she hasn't.
"If she wants to run a court of public opinion, that is her right. We are not making this a public issue."
Mr Mullins could not confirm when the case would go back to court.