Disabled boy can keep his pony, Caledon rules

[Are_grits_groceries]

A three-year-old disabled boy can keep his pony despite a neighbour’s complaints, Caledon’s committee of adjustment ruled today.

Committee members said the Spiteri family can keep the miniature pony, despite zoning rules prohibiting it, so long as they keep the pen clean.

Sam Spiteri has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, and uses the pony, Emily, as part of his therapy regime.

The dispute wound up before the committee after a neighbour complained about the smell coming from the family’s property, which also borders a cattle farm.

‘‘Pure joy right now,’’ said Antonia Spiteri, Sam’s mother, said today. ‘‘It’s been an extremely stressful last couple of months. Now I can focus my energy back where it belongs — back on Sam’s therapy.’’


http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/12/11/218631.aspx

Some good news.........

[BlooInBloo]

1. Nothing like a reasonable exception!

:)

[margotb822]

2. Let me guess

The neighbors are Repukes.

This poor boy and his family. Sheesh!

[csziggy]

3. That is great - equine therapy does wonders for many children

But the idea that the pony's poo could out stink the cattle farm is ridiculous unless the pony is ill or its pen was so filthy as to be a health hazard for the pony. The remedy that the pony's pen should be kept clean is the proper way to handle this - frankly in many communities, all you'd have to do is make a deal with an organic gardener and they would carry off the manure for free.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

4. They live next to a cattle farm, yet ONE pony was blamed for the smell?

Hrm.

You really have to be a miserable SOB to complain about a pony used in a disabled child's therapy. Good Lord.

[Donnachaidh]

6. my thoughts exactly

Cows are infinitely stinkier than than a miniature horse. And judging from the picture, those folks are taking very good care of their critter.

I hope the nasty SOB falls face first into a cow pattie. :grr:

[midnight]

5. Good news. Glad to hear this.