Man, 39, Beat Up His Rooster On Joliet's Collins Street Outside Gonzalez Produce: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — For the first time in many years, the Joliet Police Department has made an arrest in connection with allegations of a resident attacking a rooster.

Francisco Arreola, 39, of Joliet, was charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty, misdemeanor cruelty to animals, animals in entertainment violation and obstructing justice. The jail logs list him as homeless.

According to Monday's press release from Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, Joliet Township Animal Control responded to the scene and took protective custody of the rooster. The incident happened late Saturday afternoon.

At3:46 p.m., officers responded to Gonzalez Fresh Produce, 652 Collins St., for a man beating a rooster outside the
store, English announced. Upon arrival, officers located a man matching the provided description near the south entrance of the business. The man was identified as 39-year-old Francisco Arreola, after initially providing fictitious identifying information. Officers say that Arreola appeared to be intoxicated. He was holding a tan, black and white rooster that was attached to a rope leash tied to its leg, English revealed.

The rooster appeared to be injured, with visible cuts and bleeding to the top of its head, as well as blood on its feathers.

"During the investigation, Arreola made statements indicating the rooster was his pet and that he was training it to fight. He later recanted, indicating that he was attempting to train the animal to defend itself," English remarked. "A witness reported observing Arreola strike the rooster multiple times after attempting to place it into a shopping cart outside the store. Arreola was taken into custody without incident."

An animal control officer with Joliet Township Animal Control responded to the scene and took protective custody of the rooster. Members of the Joliet Police Department Animal Crimes Team also responded to assist with the investigation and coordinate veterinary care for the animal.

In the end, Arreola was charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty, misdemeanor cruelty to animals, animals in
entertainment violation and obstructing justice.

Officers also confirmed that Arreola had two active arrest warrants out of Kane County. Arreola was processed at the Joliet Police Department and transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.