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City of DeBary Votes to Let Autistic Child Keep Pet Chickens

December 19th, 2013 | WMFE - A 3-year-old DeBary boy who has autism will keep his backyard chickens. The Debary City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to grant an exemption to the family of J.J. Hart that allows the child to have his pet chickens.

Earlier in December, the council voted to end a one-year pilot program that let residents have backyard coops with a permit. That meant the Hart family would have to get rid of their chickens.

But J.J.’s parents say the boy has bonded with the chickens, which were recommended by a physician as a form of therapy, and that bond has prompted the autistic 3-year-old to make significant progress. 

The family's attorney had threatened a lawsuit if the child wasn't allowed to keep the chickens. 

DeBary City Attorney Kurt Ardaman says the exemption isn't automatic for anyone with disabilities. Any future requests will have to be approved.

 

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