Joliet Man Charged with Animal Cruelty for Allegedly Beating Pet Rooster

Witnesses say the man hit the rooster multiple times while trying to put it in a shopping cart outside a grocery store.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A 39-year-old Joliet man named Francisco Arreola was arrested and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty, misdemeanor cruelty to animals, animals in entertainment violation, and obstructing justice after allegedly beating his pet rooster outside a local grocery store. Witnesses reported seeing Arreola hit the rooster, which appeared injured, multiple times while trying to put it in a shopping cart.

Why it matters

Animal cruelty cases like this one highlight the need for stronger enforcement and penalties to protect vulnerable animals from abuse. The incident also raises questions about the legality and ethics of keeping roosters as pets, especially for the purpose of fighting or "protection", which are often forms of illegal animal fighting.

The details

Police responded to a call about a man beating a rooster outside Gonzaez Fresh Produce in Joliet on Saturday afternoon. They found Arreola, who appeared intoxicated, holding a rooster on a rope leash. The rooster had visible injuries, including cuts and bleeding on its head. Arreola initially gave a false identity to police but later said the rooster was his pet and he was training it to fight or protect itself, though witnesses reported seeing him hit the animal multiple times while trying to put it in a shopping cart.

  • The incident occurred around 3:46 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Francisco Arreola

A 39-year-old Joliet resident who was arrested and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty, misdemeanor cruelty to animals, animals in entertainment violation, and obstructing justice for allegedly beating his pet rooster.

Gonzaez Fresh Produce

The grocery store in Joliet where the alleged incident took place.

Joliet Township Animal Control

The agency that took the injured rooster into protective custody and provided it with veterinary care.

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What’s next

Arreola is being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility, and the rooster remains in the care of Joliet Township Animal Control as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of stronger laws and enforcement to protect animals from cruelty, as well as the need for better education and resources to discourage the keeping of animals, especially roosters, for unethical purposes like fighting or "protection".