Austin is a typical teenage boy. He goes to school, participates in extracurricular activities, and has fulfilling hobby interests. Yet, Austin is not the stereotypical teen in that his hobby interest gains much notoriety. He raises ducks mainly for emotional support, and, as a side bonus (not to mention the many hours of dedication and hard work), his ducks have won multiple showmanship titles. Sadly, his ducks are forcefully being removed from his care and perhaps even more frightening, all occurring without due process.   

If you love animals, please sign this petition. If you love children, please sign this petition. If you appreciate your civil liberties, please sign this petition. If you advocate for individuals with special needs, please sign this petition. All of these issues are present within this case for Austin, and many citizens of Raymore, Missouri, need our help.   

Austin lives in the rural Kansas City, Missouri suburb of Raymore. His dream for a long time was to care for a duck. In 2017, his dream became a reality. Austin is the best human he can be for his duck friends. He loves them with all of his heart and considers them family. 

Flash forward from 2017 to five months ago, in a closed-door meeting, held by the City Council of Raymore, Missouri, the prejudicial decision to enact a new code to ban not just ducks, but all poultry was voted on and passed. These types of discussions should always be known to the citizens of the City, so they have a chance to provide testimony; furthermore, this topic, not notated in the City Council meeting agenda for the night, was cleared for discussion. By all counts, the City Council has conveniently made no mention of their vote to the families that have poultry on their property.

Austin, who has the diagnosis of dyslexia and apraxia (a type of brain damage), supports and raises his ducks as not only a hobby, but also relies on them as his emotionally-supportive feathered friends. Recently, his family received a letter from the City, informing them that they will eliminate Austin's birds from his property by June 1 if he does not do so himself.

There is no mention in the letter from the City that describes where his ducks will find shelter, or if the City ultimately plans on their destruction. It is quite evident that the City of Raymore does not care what becomes of Austin's birds, as long as they are moved from his property by their hurried deadline.

Morevoer, it also appears that the City does not care what happens to Austin's well-being when he sees his birds forcefully confiscated in front of him. He is a child and, as such, is seen as a lesser citizen. His needs and his emotional well-being says nothing to the adults who head his City Council, as they underhandedly vote on new codes to strip him of his beloved birds.  

Austin's family and the citizens of Raymore (and ALL American citizens) who care for poultry, are legally afforded the ability to address their concerns about any proposed ban and have their voices heard!  A closed-door meeting is a violation of their civil liberties. 

Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals are allowed in Raymore with no issue (as they should be!), so why are ducks all of a sudden banned? The City is saying this is due to "neighbor complaints." 

The biggest question out of this horrific situation to ask is: What adult could realistically be complaining about ducks that are lovingly raised by a responsible teenage boy? Are ducks loud? Are they louder than dogs? They are environmentally friendly animals, and above all, they are Austin's emotional support animals. He cares for them as if they are family, and he will be the first one to tell you that they are his family. 

While Austin's family has only one goal, which is to be able to keep his ducks until the Missouri State Fair, this issue begs the question of how the City of Raymore is allowed to hold a closed-door meeting to enact a new code without allowing their citizens the chance not only to be aware of such a meeting, but also to be present and testify on behalf of their birds and themselves. 

Had this meeting not been conducted in such an underhanded manner, there might not be so much animosity towards the City Council. Had Austin, who is a child and thus has minimal legal rights, been able to go in front of the City Council and explain what his ducks mean to him and how beneficial they are, this code would likely never pass.

This is precisely why the Raymore City Council declined to call witnesses for testimony; this is absolutely why the Raymore City Council decided to abstain from referencing this code change in their agenda.  Why else omit the proposal and all mention of the discussion and/or vote from the evening's agenda?  

Austin should most certainly be allowed to keep his birds until after the Missouri State Fair in August. Moreover, all families who are affected by the new city code should be allowed to testify and have their voices heard at the Raymore City Council meeting. This meeting should also be published for the citizens of Raymore to have a warning that this particular issue shall be up for a vote. Any and all votes before the citizens were given due notice to the same should be considered null and void.  

Missourians are proud of our farm animals. It is our past, present, and future. As a proud member of 4H who has won multiple awards for his birds, Austin should not be punished by losing his feathered family but instead should be praised for his dedication, his commitment, and his passion.

The new code, passed in a fly-by-night manner, is affecting a child who has done nothing but care for his birds in a most respectable fashion. WHY? Surrounding communities, including Kansas City proper, have successfully allowed poultry in their cities. Raymore is far more rural with about 19,000 citizens at the 2010 census.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, sign this petition to help Austin keep his birds and for the citizens of Raymore, Missouri to be allowed a fair hearing and vote from their City Council in regard to this issue!   

Again, if you love animals, please sign this petition. If you love children, please sign this petition. If you appreciate your civil liberties, please sign this petition. If you advocate for individuals with special needs, please sign this petition.  

We appreciate each and every one of you!  Please, stay safe and stay healthy!

PS:  Austin's recent media interview can be found here:  https://fox4kc.com/news/raymore-family-fighting-to-keep-ducks-that-help-comfort-teen-with-disabilities/