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.

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.”

“Without your support, no one would be watching. No one would be documenting. No one would be fighting for these animals.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We Are the Engine — You Are the Fuel

Please include SHARK in your year-end giving — your support ends violent animal abuse.

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.

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