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Advocates press board to ban 'steer tailing' as officials approve appointments, grants and ordinances
Summary
Animal‑welfare advocates urged McHenry County to prohibit steer‑tailing events and to stop issuing new permits; the board also approved an appointment to the Sheriff's Merit Commission, passed two ordinances and approved consent items including two grant‑related items after debate over small stipends for licensed volunteers.
Advocates for animal welfare urged the McHenry County Board on March 18 to outlaw "steer tailing" and to stop issuing permits for events they described as criminal animal cruelty.
Jody Whittaker, campaigns director for Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), said her organization documented video evidence of repeated abuse at steer‑tailing events and urged the county to introduce an ordinance prohibiting issuance of new permits and banning the dragging or pulling of bovines by their tails for entertainment. "We do greatly appreciate the McHenry County Sheriff's Department for taking action," Whittaker said, but asked the board to move further and adopt a local ban in advance of state legislation.
Heather Friedly and other speakers described the events as violent and urged the county to stop supporting permits that allow such practices. Several speakers asked for a prompt response to emails they said were sent to the board.
Board business: The board approved an appointment to the Sheriff's Merit Commission and carried motions to approve zoning consent items and ordinances 17B1 and 17B2. The board also debated two consent items (16B.2.7 and 16B.2.9). Ms. Greenough opposed using grant savings to provide a small stipend for licensed volunteers on boards and commissions, raising concerns about taxpayer perception; Ms. Altoff and other members defended the modest stipend and clarified that the Health Department budget and grant savings created capacity for the cost without an immediate levy increase. County Administrator Hartman clarified the stipend was not directly funded by a discrete grant line but by operating budget savings tied to grant support.
The meeting concluded with announcements of a ribbon cutting for the Crystal Lake nursing and animal control facility on April 10 and the county health department's 60th anniversary.
Context and next steps: Advocates asked the board to draft and consider a local ordinance banning steer tailing; the board approved multiple administrative items and adjourned.
