Rodeos have come in for a lot of criticism by neighbors.
The McHenry County Board is about to consider comprehensive regulations.
Most are below.
a b and c are he current rules.
The rest are new.
Rodeos are subject to the following additional standards.
a. An Illinois Licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine must be present and available to treat animals throughout the duration of the event.
b. Emergency medical services provided or approved by the regulating Fire District shall be on site for the duration of the event.
c. Lighting shall be provided along the ingress and egress aisles including parking areas and traffic control locations. Ambient lighting levels shall be no less than 5 footcandles.
Paragraphs d through q are new
d. The harassment, unnecessary roughness, or abuse of any animal is strictly prohibited. This prohibition should be read concurrently with, and not to the exclusion of, prohibited activities under State or Federal law including, but not necessarily limited to, the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act (510 ILCS 70/1, et seq.).
e. The intentional tripping of any horse is prohibited.
f. Any injured animal shall be humanely removed from the arena and not allowed to participate in any further tasks for the event.
g. Stimulants or hypnotics may not be given to any animal for contest purposes.
h. Steers and calves may only be used for one task within an event per day.
i. The use of electric prods or similar electric devices is strictly prohibited except in emergency situations. For the purposes of this subsection, emergency situations are limited to instances where the health, wellbeing, or safety of a human being is in imminent danger.
j. Spurs must have five or more points and must be dull.
k. Locked rowels or rowels that will lock on spurs are strictly prohibited.
l. The use of sharp or cutting objects in cinch, saddle girth, or flank straps is prohibited.
m. The use of pregnant mares and cows is strictly prohibited.
n. The practice, event, or task commonly referred to as “steer tailing” is strictly prohibited. For the purposes of this subsection, “steer tailing” includes initiating contact with the tail of the steer or calf and applying force to the tail of the calf or steer causing the calf or steer to be taken to the ground.
o. The practice, event, or task commonly referred to as “jerk-down” is strictly prohibited. For the purposes of this subsection, “jerk-down” includes roping any part of the body of the steer or calf and applying force to the rope such that the steer or calf flips over backwards.
p. An Incident Action Plan approved by the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency shall be obtained. The Incident Action Plan shall include law enforcement, fire, public health, and public works/transportation roles and responsibilities during the
operational periods of the event. The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency will coordinate development of the Incident Action Plan with the applicant and appropriate agencies.
q. Temporary Use applications for rodeos shall be filed with the County at least 60 days in advance of the event.
