RESIDENTS CALL OUT ANIMAL CRUELTY
Video from a neighbor captured the loose steer trotting down the road as a group, later determined to be students, chased it (Jackie Kostek/CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police from Niles responded about 2:56 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2023 to a report of suspicious suspects near Northridge Preparatory School at 8320 Ballard Road in Niles. Police on arrival discovered farm animals, and several juveniles who were determined to be students at Northridge Preparatory School. Initial assessment at the scene by police determined that the students were apparently conducting a ‘senior prank’ involving live animals at the school.
During their actions, a cow got away from the juveniles, and escaped into a nearby neighborhood, and eventually the cow traveled a little over one mile south-southwest of Northridge Preparatory School near Ni-Ridge Park near Beau Drive and Clifton Avenue in Park Ridge.
Niles Police Department with the assistance of other police departments worked together with a representative of Wagner Farms to secure the cow, which was not the property of Wagner Farms.
Local schools were notified about the police activity in the area, and local residents were advised to avoid the area until the cow was secured at about 9:15 a.m.
Niles police said they worked with a representative from Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview to safely secure the steer. The steer will be taken to Wagner Farm until officials can determine a final destination (Jackie Kostek/CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
A police investigation determined that the animals involved in the alleged prank were purchased via Craigslist by the students involved. A pig was purchased near Dixon, Illinois, and the cow was purchased near Winneconne, Wisconsin. Chickens that belonged to one of the students were also brought to the school.
Wagner Farms was unable to take possession of the cow, so the cow, originally from Wisconsin, will be transferred to the Hooved Animals Humane Society in Woodstock, Illinois.
The juvenile students involved in the prank were issued Village of Niles ordinance citations with a mandatory appearance in the Niles adjudication court to include: curfew violation, disorderly conduct, animal feces accumulation – not permitted, and prohibited animal species.
Payment and fees for services rendered will be addressed at Niles Adjudication Court.
The Northridge Preparatory School administration is conducting an internal investigation into the incident regarding those involved. The school administration refused to pursue any criminal charges. The school managed the cleanup and removal of any animals within the school itself, which is located at the northeast corner of Ballard Road and Cumberland Avenue in Niles.
Some residents posting on the Niles Police Department Facebook questioned why police were not issuing an “animal abuse charge” or expressed hope that crimes of animal cruelty were taken seriously.
One person posted a comment on the Northridge Preparatory School Facebook page that the action was shameful. Another commenter said there should be serious consequences for the “horrid decision” the students made.
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