SHARK director urges DeKalb County to tighten temporary-use permits and consider banning rodeos after alleged cruelty

Jody Whitaker, campaign director for Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), addressed the DeKalb County Board during public comment about alleged animal-cruelty incidents tied to rodeos and similar events.

"In September 2024, four young men were filmed electrocuting seers with 10,000 volts ..." Whitaker said, describing graphic allegations of electrocution and severe mistreatment reported to the group. She said Christopher Perez pleaded guilty in April 2025 to violating Illinois' Humane Care for Animals Act, but the four men she mentioned have not been charged.

Whitaker told the board she contacted Sheriff Andy Sullivan and DeKalb County Animal Control and that the county health department and community development staff responded with technical guidance: temporary-use permits are currently evaluated on land‑use merits only. Whitaker argued that "granting permits based only on land use only merits is a flawed concept" and urged the county to adopt a comprehensive permitting approach; she also proposed banning rodeos.

Why it matters: Whitaker framed the issue as a repeat pattern of animal suffering and a gap in how the county evaluates temporary permits. The transcript records her request for the county to work with the community to prevent illegal acts against animals but does not show any board directive, investigation, or immediate policy change.

What the transcript records: Whitaker named the organization she represents (SHARK), recounted prior incidents and convictions, and asked the board to consider changes to permitting practices or a ban on rodeos. She said she received a response from the health department and a reminder from community development that temporary-use permits are land-use decisions.

Next steps: The meeting transcript does not record a board referral or motion on permits or rodeo policy.