Parents of a 12-year-old boy with autism are fighting against a western Michigan township's order to get rid of their son's ducks that are used as emotional support animals.
WOOD-TV reports that Georgetown Township zoning officials issued a nuisance order to Mark and Jen Dyke after receiving multiple complaints from neighbors over the ducks straying from their property and their unpleasant smell. Township officials say they're enforcing an ordinance that prohibits homeowners from having farm animals on their property.
The Dykes are requesting an ordinance variance and hope the township's zoning appeals board will rule in their favor next month.
Jen Dyke says the ducks mean everything to their son, Dylan.
Dylan's psychologist, Eric Dykstra, believes taking the ducks away from the boy would cause "significant emotional distress."
