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Autistic boy gets to keep chickens, DeBary rules
Autistic boy gets to keep chickens, DeBary rules
JJ Hart plays with his chickens in the backyard coop. The family says the chickens help JJ with his autism.
By Saul Saenz, Reporter
Last Updated: Thursday, November 08, 2012, 1:01 PM
And soon, everyone in DeBary may soon be able to keep chickens in their backyards as well.
JJ Hart's family was originally told their 11 chickens were a violation of a city ordinance. But Hart's parents said the chickens have been therapeutic for JJ.
Joined by dozens of supporters Wednesday night, the Harts went to City Council with their attorney to appeal a decision to make them get rid of the chickens.
The council instead came up with a new ordinance to allow the Harts -- and, in turn, all DeBary residents -- to keep as many as three chickens in their backyards for nonagricultural purposes.
"Well, we have more than three chickens, so we want to keep what we have," said Ashley Hart, JJ's mother.
The council said it was open to suggestions on how to modify the ordinance. A second reading is scheduled for Dec. 5.
"We don't want to see, you know, the chickens taken away from this child," said Councilman Dan Hunt, "and I believe ordinance 0-12 offers a remedy."
Another issue yet to be resolved is if the Harts' fine for the first violation of city ordinance will be erased.
Last Updated: Thursday, November 08, 2012, 1:01 PM
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DEBARY --
A 2-year-old Volusia County boy will get to keep at least some of his pet chickens to help with his autism.And soon, everyone in DeBary may soon be able to keep chickens in their backyards as well.
JJ Hart's family was originally told their 11 chickens were a violation of a city ordinance. But Hart's parents said the chickens have been therapeutic for JJ.
Joined by dozens of supporters Wednesday night, the Harts went to City Council with their attorney to appeal a decision to make them get rid of the chickens.
The council instead came up with a new ordinance to allow the Harts -- and, in turn, all DeBary residents -- to keep as many as three chickens in their backyards for nonagricultural purposes.
"Well, we have more than three chickens, so we want to keep what we have," said Ashley Hart, JJ's mother.
The council said it was open to suggestions on how to modify the ordinance. A second reading is scheduled for Dec. 5.
"We don't want to see, you know, the chickens taken away from this child," said Councilman Dan Hunt, "and I believe ordinance 0-12 offers a remedy."
Another issue yet to be resolved is if the Harts' fine for the first violation of city ordinance will be erased.
