Warrant Executed December 10 in Coordination with Massachusetts State Police
BOSTON, Dec. 10, 2025 – MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement seized more than 60 birds related to a joint investigation with Massachusetts State Police into alleged cockfighting, the organization announced today.
Officers executed a warrant at a Springfield property on December 10 in coordination with Massachusetts State Police. While there, they observed dozens of birds living in multiple structures in a manner commonly associated with cockfighting operations.
“We opened this investigation several months ago after being contacted by State Police,” explained MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement Director, Chris Schindler. “Upon executing the search warrant today, we found more than 60 birds associated with a suspected cockfighting operation, as well as paraphernalia consistent with the raising and keeping of birds for the purposes of fighting, including sharp objects that are attached to roosters’ legs during fights to inflict more severe injuries.”
Cockfighting is an illegal practice in the United States that relies on cruelty for profit. It involves forcing two birds to fight—often to the death—for gambling and entertainment. Even when birds survive the match, they suffer severe injuries, such as punctured lungs, evisceration, broken bones, and eye damage.
“It’s hard to state just how cruel and inhumane these kinds of things are,” he said. “We’re grateful to the State Police for bringing this to our attention and working with us throughout the investigation.”
“These kinds of close working relationships with outside agencies help us bring justice to countless animals in Massachusetts.”
Following their removal, the birds were brought to an undisclosed location where they will be held while the court process plays out.
An ‘Underground Problem’
This is the first search warrant related to suspected cockfighting executed by MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement since 2018, but, according to Schindler, that is not because such cases do not exist.
“Unfortunately, these things are happening in Massachusetts, but they’re underground and clandestine, so it’s incredibly challenging for us to find them,” he explained. “We rely on people to recognize the signs that cockfighting may be happening and to contact us so we can handle it.”
Large numbers of roosters being housed individually can be an indication of such an operation.
Anyone with information about possible animal cruelty can contact MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement by phone at (617) 522-6008 or (800) 628-5808 or online at mspca.org/tip.
Those who would like to donate to support the work of the MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement team are asked to give at mspca.org/justice.
