Florida City Bans Backyard Chickens

Father upset about impact on autistic son who cares for his

The father of an autistic boy says he'll be contacting his attorney after the DeBary City Council voted to end a pilot program that allows residents to keep chickens in their backyards.

Councilmembers ended the program with a 3-2 vote Wednesday. But Joseph Hart vowed to fight for the right to keep the chickens that his 3-year-old son J.J. calls ducks.

Hart credited the council for starting the pilot program last year and told them his son had made significant progress since they got the chickens, which a physician recommended to help with the boy's therapy.

"It's made a tremendous difference in J.J.'s life," Hart said. His vocabulary has gone from 'ducks' to that of a normal kid his age."

(Hat tip to Mark)