Boy, 3, with cerebral palsy can keep his pony

A Caledon, Ont., family is celebrating after the town ruled it can keep a miniature pony purchased for their son, who has cerebral palsy.

The Spiteri family gained worldwide attention after a neighbour complained it was violating a town bylaw by having the pony, Emily.

Three-year-old Sam has been riding Emily since he was an infant.  

Sam was born with a form of cerebral palsy that makes it difficult for him to do ordinary tasks such as walk, hold toys, eat or speak. 

He's so attached to the pony, said his mother Antonia Spiteri, that his rides usually end in tears because he doesn't want to leave Emily.

"Where healthy children have running and play, all the carefree happiness of a normal childhood, my son has his horse," she told the town's committee of adjustment.

But the Town of Caledon received a complaint from a neighbour who said Emily's smell is offensive.

The bylaw enforcement manager ruled the Spiteris' half-hectare property is zoned rural-residential, which means they cannot keep livestock.

But the Spiteris argued Emily shouldn't be classified as livestock because she was bought as a form of therapy.

Sam also has seizures, making it almost impossible to take him on long car trips to a riding facility elsewhere, which is why his grandfather bought him Emily.

According to the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Foundation, equestrian therapy "improves balance, co-ordination, strength and muscle tone, while gently mobilizing the joints."

Sam's pediatrician suggested the riding therapy and they have seen an improvement in his posture because riding "triggers the muscles to stiffen and contract, so that when he rides her, he gets better posture," said his mother.

She told the committee of adjustment, "You have the authority to help Sam. Don't mark my Christmas season by taking away my son's Christmas smile."

On Wednesday afternoon, the town ruled Emily can stay.

"The town and staff have been very compassionate because we're a compassionate community," said Mayor Marilyn Morrison.  "Caledon cares."

Morrison said she had received letters in support of the Spiteris' dilemma from around the world.