Man charged in Will County with animal cruelty at unlicensed rodeo

A man in Will County has been charged with the cruel treatment of animals at a rodeo.

On Wednesday, Ezequiel Herrera, 26, of Lockport Township was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty after an investigation into an unlicensed rodeo in the 400 block of Oak Avenue in Lockport Township.

Drone footage obtained by police showed Herrera using an electric cattle prod to shock steer in the face and head, according to a statement from the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

Herrera’s use of the cattle prod was done “repeatedly in an attempt to make the steers move closer to the alleyway of the door used to release the animals into the arena,” police said. “The use of the cattle prod to the face and head of the animals was done in such a manner that it was disturbing to watch.”

The drone footage was provided by the animal rights organization Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, or SHARK.

The case against Herrera marks the latest effort by Will County officials this year to address animal abuse occurring in rodeos. It also represents the latest collaboration between law enforcement and SHARK.

On Oct. 3, Christofer Dorado, 23, of Batavia, was charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals in connection with striking a horse with his hands and a leather whip at a rodeo venue known as La Herradura De Joliet, 18225 Briggs St., Joliet.

On Sept. 8, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office petitioned a temporary restraining order against the operator of that venue, Horseman Association Club of the North of Joliet Illinois. The case is ongoing, with a court hearing slated for Dec. 13.

The state’s attorney’s petition alleged that Steve Hindi, president of SHARK, had procured videos Aug. 15 depicting animal abuse at La Herradura De Joliet.

The petition asks a judge to enter an order to stop the Horseman Association Club of the North of Joliet Illinois from “engaging in an activity which may [cause] injury or otherwise harm animals.”

Frank Cservenyak, an attorney for the Horseman Association, denied the animal abuse allegations from the state’s attorney’s office.