From Marengo’s Cynthia Allen Schenk comes the email below concerning a rodeo at a farm about halfway between Route 176 and Lucas Road on Route 47, 4420 Route 47 to be exact, just north of Whispering Springs Kennel and Pet Resort.
It was sent to County Board members and various McHenry County Departments with oversight authority.
RE: Urgent Request for Immediate Investigation and Enforcement – Rancho Las Trojes Event Scheduled for Sunday, July 5
I am writing to express my urgent and serious concern regarding the event scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, July 5, at Rancho Las Trojes in Woodstock. The event advertisement (attached/linked) promotes activities involving bulls and horses and raises significant concerns regarding compliance with the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act (510 ILCS 70) and applicable McHenry County ordinances.
Time is of the essence. Based on the documented history of similar events, I have substantial concern that activities involving the unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury of animals—including steer tailing or similar practices—may occur. If such activities take place, they may constitute violations of Illinois law.
I respectfully urge McHenry County, in coordination with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and McHenry County Animal Control, to investigate this event before it begins and to ensure that any activities prohibited under Illinois law are prevented. If violations of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act are anticipated or observed, I request that immediate enforcement action be taken to protect the animals and uphold the law.
In addition, it is unclear whether this event has obtained all required County permits, approvals, and authorizations. I respectfully request that the County immediately verify the event’s compliance with all applicable zoning requirements, permit conditions, public safety requirements, and state animal welfare laws. If the event is not fully authorized or is found to be operating in violation of applicable laws or ordinances, I urge the County to take whatever immediate action is necessary to prevent the event from proceeding.
Given that this event is scheduled for tomorrow, I respectfully request an immediate response advising of the actions the County has taken or intends to take to ensure compliance with Illinois law and protect animal welfare.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter and for your commitment to enforcing Illinois’s animal welfare laws and protecting the public interest.
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McHenry County Board member Mike Shorten replied with this email:
Just letting know that I received your message and forwarded it to administration to make sure this event is permitted.
All of the relevant departments including the sheriff, states atyorney, emergency management, planning development and the health department are engaged on these to make sure that proper permitting processes are followed and any offenders are held accountable.
