Man charged with beating rooster outside Joliet grocery store: police

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- A man was arrested for allegedly beating a rooster outside of a south suburban grocery store on Saturday afternoon, police said.

Joliet police said officers responded to Gonzalez Fresh Produce around 3:45 p.m.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

There, officers found Francisco Arreola, a 39-year-old Joliet man. He was holding a tan, black, and white rooster with a rope leash tied to its leg.

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

Arreola initially indicated that the rooster was his pet and that he was training it to fight. He later said he was trying to train the animal to defend itself.

A witness reported seeing Arreola strike the rooster multiple times after trying to place it into a shopping cart outside of the store.

Officers took Arreola into custody. He has been charged with Felony Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals, Animals in Entertainment Violation, and Obstructing Justice. Arreola had two active arrest warrants out of Kane County.

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