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California officials grant girl’s request to keep unicorn in backyard

LOS ANGELES — A California girl who wrote a polite letter to county officials requesting permission to keep a unicorn in her backyard will get her wish.

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According to a Facebook post by Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, a girl named Madeline sent a handwritten letter on Nov. 14 asking to keep the mythical animal if she found one.

“I would like your approval if I can have a unicorn in my backyard if I can find one,” the girl wrote. “Please send me a letter in response.”

“This brought us so much JOY so we thought we should share with everyone,” officials wrote in a Facebook post.

After two weeks, Madeline received a letter of approval from the head of the agency, Marcia Mayeda. The department responded that Madeline could keep the creature, as long as she took care of it in a humane way, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The agency even sent a letterhead response to the girl, listing all the conditions under which she could keep the unicorn. According to the letter, the unicorn must be “given regular access to sunlight, moonbeams and rainbows,” The Fresno Bee reported. The animal also must be given a favorite treat -- watermelon -- at least once each week,” and its horn must be polished once a month, the letter stated.

“Any sparkles or glitter used on the unicorn must be nontoxic and biodegradable to ensure the unicorn’s good health,” the letter said.

Madeline received a preapproved unicorn license and pink heart-shaped license tag, The Bee reported. She also received a white plush toy unicorn with purple hooves as a substitute until she finds one to put in her backyard, county officials wrote on Facebook.

“We commend Madeline’s sense of responsible pet ownership to seek permission in advance to keep a unicorn in Los Angeles County,” the agency wrote. “Thank you Madeline for reaching out to our department.

“Why, yes – we DO license unicorns!”