View this email in your browser ([link removed])


** November 30, 2025
------------------------------------------------------------


** DEAR SUPPORTERS,
------------------------------------------------------------

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to thank you — our supporters — for standing with us during one of our most challenging, and successful years. Because of your generosity, we’ve been able to expose illegal and violent steer tailing events across Illinois, document horrific cruelty, and hold officials accountable when they refuse to enforce the law.

Just one year ago, our main focuses were Will County and Boone County because they had the most locations. But thanks to relentless investigation, public pressure, and your support, those counties are now essentionally shut down.

In McHenry County, authorities recently filed charges against five steer tailers — a major step forward. DeKalb County is conducting an ongoing investigation, and we expect movement there soon.

This year, Ogle County became our primary focus — we’ve nicknamed it The Illinois Toilet. It’s the last place where cruelty continues unchecked, due to the determined refusal of corrupt law enforcement to do their job.

A steer’s bloody rear-end after degloving

Fake “Charro” flipping the bird to a SHARK drone

In March, the first steer-tailing event of the year happened in Rochelle. By year’s end Ogle County accounted for nearly 50% of all steer tailing that we documented. Despite clear video evidence, State’s Attorney Mike Rock continues to refuse prosecution. His excuse? That it’s “hard to file charges” or that “we don’t know who to charge.”

Ogle County SA Mike Rock

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle

“Without your support, no one would be watching. No one would be documenting. No one would be fighting for these animals.” ([link removed])

Yet other counties have prosecuted and secured convictions. We’ve identified participants by name, documented violations on camera, and provided everything officials need. Still, Ogle County has done absolutely nothing. There’s no escaping their corruption, and we continue to make sure the public knows it.

When local systems fail, the next line of defense should be the state. Yet Governor JB Pritzker has refused to enforce Illinois’ own Humane Care for Animals Act. His inaction allows cruelty to flourish — even as other states, counties and countries have banned the same practices.

There’s good news, too: because of our constant pressure, steer tailing events dropped dramatically this year. In 2024, our teams were out almost every weekend — sometimes covering two different events in one weekend. But 2025, averaged only a couple of events each month. That’s real progress. But there’s still much more work ahead.

Horse in extreme pain from violent reining

Fake “Charro” holding degloved tail

as a trophy

At an April event, a horse’s leg was broken; the animal was loaded into a trailer, without support or restraints, and driven away in agony. Time after time, our cameras captured animals being violently degloved, legs and horns breaking, all while crowds cheered.

At the final event of the year in Rochelle, 11 steers were degloved (over a quarter of the animals brought in), and a number of them received no veterinary care. This cruelty is illegal under Illinois law — yet authorities still look the other way.

Our drone footage shows the true brutality of these moments. When the animal falls, his body hits the dirt with full momentum, legs twisting beneath him. Some steers are forced to continue running until they collapse. We have documented steers bleeding from degloved tails, limping on broken legs, or lying motionless from pure exhaustion.

At every single steer-tailing event we documented this year, animals suffered catastrophic injuries. Veterinarians, when present, treated only a fraction of the injured animals.

We also worked to strengthen Illinois’ Humane Care for Animals Act through Senate Bill 45, but political indifference stalled it before it could move forward.

Illinois deserves leaders who protect the voiceless — not those who hide behind politics. And with your help, we’ll keep pushing until that happens.

Our evidence has been presented to sheriffs, state’s attorneys, and even the Governor himself. Yet no one has been held accountable. The result is an unspoken agreement between event organizers and officials: as long as no one intervenes, the abuse can continue.

This is why SHARK exists — to break that silence. ([link removed])

Every flight our drones take exposes what others would rather keep hidden. Every image and every report is a demand for justice that cannot be ignored. ([link removed])

Video Truck driving around Springfield, IL showing footage of illegal steer tailing abuse

This year, SHARK used some “old tactics” to shine a spotlight on the failures of Illinois leadership. We’ve shown Governor Pritzker the footage ourselves. We’ve driven a video truck around Chicago and Springfield (sound like a familiar concept?). We’ve called, emailed, and posted — yet no action has been taken.

It’s easy to be outraged by animal abuse. It’s harder to take action - and that’s what makes all the difference. ([link removed])

Together, we will force change. We can saved animals from suffering. We’ve proven that cruelty thrives only when no one is watching — and with your help, SHARK will always be watching. ([link removed])

We Are the Engine — You Are the Fuel ([link removed])

Please include SHARK in your year-end giving — your support ends violent animal abuse. ([link removed])

Exposed spine and nerves after a brutal degloving

We appreciate Animals 24-7 relentless reporting on this issue.

We respect Shaw Media’s, Payton Felix, for her integrity and dedication to real journalism. While many in Chicago’s media stay silent to protect political ties, she choose to report truth.

The legal experise provided to us the the Humane Farming Association (HFA) has proven invaluable.
[link removed]

SHARK is on Venmo! Donations made simple, right from your phone! Click the Venmo button ->

and head right to our page.
[link removed]
[link removed]

SHARK is on PayPal.

• Ways to Help SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness Raise Much-Needed Funds.

• You can also donate to us through thehttps://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/211689PayPal Giving Fund ([link removed])

• Purchase SHARK shirts, cups, bags and more at our Printful Store ([link removed])

• Start iGiving at:www.iGive.com/animals ([link removed])
Every time you shop at any of the 2,000+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness. It's a, free service ([link removed]) and you'll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive.

In fact, smart shoppers will enjoy iGive's repository of coupons, free shipping deals, and sales. To get started, just create your free iGive account.
[link removed]

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
Logo

Copyright (C) 2025 SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you want to get alerts and updates from SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness
Our mailing address is:
SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness
PO Box 28
Geneva, IL 60134
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])