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AARON RICE, dog trainer, arrested and nineteen dogs removed from a Will County home

- Illinois, USA -


On March 27, 2025, 36-year-old AARON RICE (pictured), turned himself into the Will County Sheriff’s Office on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, cruelty to animals, and violating owners duties.


Prosecutors say RICE ran a dog training business from his home in the 100 block of Willow Bend Drive.

According to prosecutors, a woman had contracted RICE for a four-week training program and on January 23, 2025, she handed over to him her Great Dane named Freya.

While Freya was in RICE’s care, her mom kept asking RICE for pictures and updates on her training progress but never received any.


On January 31, 2025, RICE contacted Freya’s mom to tell her that Freya was not eating. He did not disclose the whole truth; he just said that Freya was having difficulty standing.


On the same day, Freya was taken to an emergency hospital in critical condition. Veterinarians reported that her condition suggested she had been starved and confined in a space too small for her size.


The Bolingbrook Police Department was alerted and officers were dispatched to RICE’s home to investigate possible animal cruelty.


Following an investigation, a search warrant was obtained and executed on March 14, 2025. The search led to the discovery of nineteen (19) dogs who were removed and taken to the police animal care facility.


Police told Voice For Us most of the dogs showed “signs of malnourishment” and specifically “two adult dogs and five puppies were taken to a local veterinarian for various injuries and signs of possible infection.”


On March 19, 2025, a warrant was issued for RICE’s arrest. At the time of writing, online records show that RICE is being held into the Will County Adult Detention Facility. According to court records, RICE’s preliminary hearing is set for April 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from information received by the Bolingbrook Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.


RICE’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Will County Sheriff’s Office




EZEQUIEL HERRERA charged with animal cruelty at illegal rodeo in Will County

- Illinois, USA -


The Will County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 26-years-old EZEQUIEL HERRERA after an investigation into an unlicensed rodeo in Lockport Township.


In a media release, the sheriff's office said that on October 2, 2023, its detectives “received information regarding animal abuse occurring at an unlicensed rodeo in the 400 block of Oak Avenue in Lockport Township.”


A representative from the animal rights organization, SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), provided detectives with drone footage of animal abuse that happened at the rodeo.


As stated in the release, in the drone footage, an unknown man later identified as HERRERA, “began to utilize an electric cattle prod to shock the steers in the face and head. This was done repeatedly in an attempt to make the steers move closer to the alleyway of the door used to release the animals into the arena. The use of the cattle prod to the face and head of the animals was done in such a manner that it was disturbing to watch.”


The release went on to say: “During the rodeo event, several steers are observed to be in physical distress with injuries, while participants continue to utilize the steers for the rodeo.”


According to the sheriff’s office, when detectives interviewed HERRERA, he “admitted to using the cattle prod on the steers at the rodeo event.”


On November 8, 2023, Detective R.J. Austin met with the Honorable Judge Art Smigielski regarding this case and Judge Smigielski issued a criminal complaint summons for HERRERA on two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.


Court records show HERRERA’s first court appearance is scheduled to take place on December 15, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.


The sheriff's office also said that SHARK has provided detectives with drone footage of other animal abuse complaints that have happened at various rodeo events located throughout Will County.


On October 3, 2023, 23-years-old CHRISTOPHER DORADO, of Batavia, was charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals for striking a horse with his hands and a leather whip at a rodeo venue known as La Herradura De Joliet, on 18225 Briggs Street in Joliet.


James Glasgow, Will County State’s Attorney, has been looking into cases of animal abuse at rodeos for the last few months and as reported by Patch, his office filed a restraining order against the club that organizes the rodeos.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.







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