Maine resident Amy Martin had a court hearing before the Bangor Board of Appeals on Oct. 5 regarding her disabled son’s emotional support chickens. Where the family lives, backyard chickens are illegal.
Martin told The Washington Post she had read about how popular chickens became as emotional support animals during the pandemic and thought a small flock would be perfect for her son since they’re “social, friendly, cuddly and they’re generally low maintenance.”
According to the U.S. Service Animal’s website, an emotional su
pport animal, or ESA, can be “any animal,” it doesn’t have to meet specific training requirements, and the owner doesn’t have to be physically disabled — it can be for anyone.
Amy’s son, C-Jay Martin, 25, has anophthalmia, meaning he was born without eyes. He is also “missing one-third of his brain and half of his right lung, and his heart is on the right side of his body rather than the left,” The Washington Post reported.
C-Jay “also has autism, epilepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,” the article noted.
C-Jay is friendly and outgoing, but social distancing during the pandemic was hard on him, Amy Martin told the Post. She began to be concerned about his mental health and hoped that having chickens would give him something to look forward to and instill a new sense of purpose.
At the hearing, neighbors testified that the chickens “have not been a disturbance,” per The Washington Post. One of Martins’ neighbors, Imke Jandreau, said, “How on Earth did we put this family through months of agony and anxiety, wondering if they were going to keep these pets? That’s stressful for C-Jay, it’s stressful for Amy, and I thought it was just unnecessary.”
Jandreau continued, “Amy is really, really responsible, so I know she’s keeping things appropriately stored and keeping public health in mind. If this is what he needs to thrive, let’s be supportive of it.”
In September, Amy Martin told Fox that if the Bangor Board of Appeals denies her and her son’s request for the animals, “she’s prepared to continue fighting for her son’s right to have his comfort chicken, even if it means taking the case to the Supreme Court.”
She said, “Why would I let this go? Just because someone says no doesn’t mean that’s the final answer. If I don’t try, who’s going to?” per Fox.
Taking the case to the Supreme Court turned out to not be necessary, as the board voted unanimously to allow C-Jay to keep his emotional support chickens.
Amy told WGME, “Since the chickens came, he’s excited, feels more involved and has more of a purpose. He’s much happier and goes outside more because he’s coming out in the morning to let them out and puts them to bed at night.”