Liberals LOVE regualtions. Its their way of controlling our lives. In the case of this little boy they'd love nothing more than to take the kids pet away......to them this kid should never have even been born!
Kason Ray and His Therapy Pig Twinkie Cause Legal Battle in Coral Springs, Florida | Video | TheBlaze.com
$500 Daily Fine? Family Outraged After City Enforces Obscure Ordinance on Disabled Boy and His Pet Pig Twinkie
Kason Ray and His Therapy Pig Twinkie Cause Legal Battle in Coral Springs, Florida
(Photo: WSVN-TV)
A small legal battle is brewing in Coral Springs, Florida over a young boy with Downs syndrome and his pet pig.
Heather Ray, the mother of 8-year-old Kason, recently purchased the animal for her son as a therapy pet, forgoing more traditional animals because of her husband and older sons allergies.
6-week-old Twinkie became family almost immediately, they say, and has barely left Kasons side since they bought him three weeks ago.
You know, he does get mad. He throws fits. He doesnt like things, and Twinkie has a very calming effect on him, Ray explained, according to ABC News. It mellows him out, it calms him down Its so good for him. He loves her so much.
So whats the problem? Apparently Coral Springs has an old law against raising livestock, and Twinkies breaking the rule.
Kason Ray and His Therapy Pig Twinkie Cause Legal Battle in Coral Springs, Florida
(Photo: WSVN-TV)
The city only found out about Twinkie because Ray did her homework before purchasing the $1,300 animal, and actually asked for a waiver from the city in mid-October, ABC writes:
[Heather Ray] found out that Broward County and several cities surrounding her own allowed pet pigs to be kept, and when she learned of Coral Springs rules, she contacted city officials to request a waiver or special exemption because of her sons disability. On Oct. 15 officials said they couldnt grant her request.
In a written statement to ABC News on Monday, the citys communication and marketing director, Bob Goehrig, wrote: A city ordinance does not allow pigs as pets. Pigs are considered livestock. If the Rays can show us there is a medical necessity and can bring documentation, well be glad to look into it.
But Ray said shes already sent the city all the documentation theyve requested, including a letter from her sons doctor supporting the recommendation for a therapy pet for Kason.
In the letter, a copy of which Ray provided to ABC News, Dr. Juan Carlos Millon wrote on Oct. 23, 2012, that Kason had certain limitations coping with stress and anxiety I am prescribing an emotional support animal that will assist Kason in coping with his disability.
Kason Ray and His Therapy Pig Twinkie Cause Legal Battle in Coral Springs, Florida
(Photo: CBS4)
Ray doesnt have her hopes up about the waiver. Noting that her previous request was denied, the mother said she was previously told that she could either pay a $1,600 fine or try to change the law. If she fails to do either, she said, they made it clear she could be hit with a $500 daily fine.
Explaining why shes fighting the bureaucracy, Ray explained:
For children with special needs, anyone with special needs, acceptance is a big deal Unfortunately in our society, you know, people with special needs just are not always accepted an animal loves you no matter what. They dont care what you look like, they dont care how you talk, how you walk, you know, they dont care, as long as you love them they love you unconditionally, so thats very important to him, for us to have that for him.
And just to cover all the bases, various news sites interviewed Rays neighbors to see if there were previously-unreported complaints to factor in.
This is the first I heard about it, Cicely McCracken, who lives across the street said. Ive got a noisy dog a pig wouldnt bother me. Another neighbor said he doesnt mind having a small pig in the neighborhood, but is concerned about letting people bend the law.
WSVN-TV has more on the story including Rays threats to take it up with the Justice Department and what they plan to do next:
Kason Ray and His Therapy Pig Twinkie Cause Legal Battle in Coral Springs, Florida | Video | TheBlaze.com
$500 Daily Fine? Family Outraged After City Enforces Obscure Ordinance on Disabled Boy and His Pet Pig Twinkie
Kason Ray and His Therapy Pig Twinkie Cause Legal Battle in Coral Springs, Florida
(Photo: WSVN-TV)
A small legal battle is brewing in Coral Springs, Florida over a young boy with Downs syndrome and his pet pig.
Heather Ray, the mother of 8-year-old Kason, recently purchased the animal for her son as a therapy pet, forgoing more traditional animals because of her husband and older sons allergies.
6-week-old Twinkie became family almost immediately, they say, and has barely left Kasons side since they bought him three weeks ago.
You know, he does get mad. He throws fits. He doesnt like things, and Twinkie has a very calming effect on him, Ray explained, according to ABC News. It mellows him out, it calms him down Its so good for him. He loves her so much.
So whats the problem? Apparently Coral Springs has an old law against raising livestock, and Twinkies breaking the rule.
Kason Ray and His Therapy Pig Twinkie Cause Legal Battle in Coral Springs, Florida
(Photo: WSVN-TV)
The city only found out about Twinkie because Ray did her homework before purchasing the $1,300 animal, and actually asked for a waiver from the city in mid-October, ABC writes:
[Heather Ray] found out that Broward County and several cities surrounding her own allowed pet pigs to be kept, and when she learned of Coral Springs rules, she contacted city officials to request a waiver or special exemption because of her sons disability. On Oct. 15 officials said they couldnt grant her request.
In a written statement to ABC News on Monday, the citys communication and marketing director, Bob Goehrig, wrote: A city ordinance does not allow pigs as pets. Pigs are considered livestock. If the Rays can show us there is a medical necessity and can bring documentation, well be glad to look into it.
But Ray said shes already sent the city all the documentation theyve requested, including a letter from her sons doctor supporting the recommendation for a therapy pet for Kason.
In the letter, a copy of which Ray provided to ABC News, Dr. Juan Carlos Millon wrote on Oct. 23, 2012, that Kason had certain limitations coping with stress and anxiety I am prescribing an emotional support animal that will assist Kason in coping with his disability.
Kason Ray and His Therapy Pig Twinkie Cause Legal Battle in Coral Springs, Florida
(Photo: CBS4)
Ray doesnt have her hopes up about the waiver. Noting that her previous request was denied, the mother said she was previously told that she could either pay a $1,600 fine or try to change the law. If she fails to do either, she said, they made it clear she could be hit with a $500 daily fine.
Explaining why shes fighting the bureaucracy, Ray explained:
For children with special needs, anyone with special needs, acceptance is a big deal Unfortunately in our society, you know, people with special needs just are not always accepted an animal loves you no matter what. They dont care what you look like, they dont care how you talk, how you walk, you know, they dont care, as long as you love them they love you unconditionally, so thats very important to him, for us to have that for him.
And just to cover all the bases, various news sites interviewed Rays neighbors to see if there were previously-unreported complaints to factor in.
This is the first I heard about it, Cicely McCracken, who lives across the street said. Ive got a noisy dog a pig wouldnt bother me. Another neighbor said he doesnt mind having a small pig in the neighborhood, but is concerned about letting people bend the law.
WSVN-TV has more on the story including Rays threats to take it up with the Justice Department and what they plan to do next:
