A cow was transported to a humane society in Woodstock after it got loose when a high school senior prank went wrong in Niles Thursday morning, officials said.
The Niles Police Department said they responded around 2:56 a.m. Thursday to the 8300 block of Ballard Avenue for a report of suspicious subjects in the area.
Officers spoke with several juveniles that were determined to be students at Northridge Preparatory School.
The students were involved in what was described as a “senior prank” where they were bringing live animals to the school, police said.
A cow escaped from the students and went into the local neighborhood.
Law enforcement worked with Wagner Farms to secure the cow. Residents and visitors were asked to avoid the area.
A police investigation revealed the animals involved were purchased on Craiglist by the students involved.
A pig was purchased near Dixon and the cow was purchased near Winneconne, Wisconsin.
Chickens belonging to a student were also brought to the school, police said.
Wagner Farms was unable to take the cow, leading it to be brought to Hooved Animal Humane Society in Woodstock Thursday afternoon.
Hooved Animal Humane Society, which was founded in 1971, is a non-profit organization that focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of large animals.
The Northridge Preparatory administration is conducting an internal investigation into the students involved.
Police said the school is managing the cleanup and removal of any animals within the school building.
The school administration refused to pursue any criminal charges, police said.
The students involved were issued village ordinance citations for curfew violation, disorderly conduct, animal feces accumulation not permitted and prohibited animal species.