Someone killed chickens used as a therapeutic tool for an autistic child in Volusia County.
News 13 brought you the story of the DeBary family fighting to raise the chickens.
They said the animals helped their autistic 2-year-old son, JJ, get over his shyness.
Lawmakers in DeBary said the family couldn't raise the chickens, but they got a two month reprieve.
On Saturday, someone beheaded some of the birds.
When the family went to sleep Friday night, they had 11 pet chickens. But when they went out to check on the chickens the next morning, four of them were beheaded.
DeBary Mayor Bob Garcia was out at the family’s home Saturday afternoon.
He urged the family to file a police report, and now the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
JJ’s parents are worried about their safety.
“I want to tell them that you did this to a little boy and this has done nothing but help him, and I don’t understand why anybody would do anything,” said Ashleigh Hart. “If it’s an act of cruelty or if it was a prank. I don’t understand any of this and how anybody could be so cruel and if you’re watching you should be ashamed of yourself.”
The pet chickens are technically illegal in a residential neighborhood.
But the family recently received a 60-day grace period from the city to have the chickens.
If you have any information, about who might’ve harmed the animals, you’re asked to call the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at (386) 668-3830.