Cockfighting Ring Busted in Tewksbury, 24 Arrested

Cockfighting in the Phillipines. | Photo by Adam Cohn on Flickr/Creative Commons

Police arrested 24 people late Friday night in connection to an alleged cockfighting ring in Tewksbury.

Upon receiving a tip that several people had been betting on cockfights, police arrived at 969 Chandler Street and found motion-sensor lights and video surveillance equipment outside, Chief Timothy Sheehan told the Lowell Sun. Inside, police found 22 participating in the cockfight, believed to be run by Frank Castro, of Dorchester, and his girlfriend, Janet Montanes.

The couple was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, being present at an animal fight, and keeping or promoting an animal fight, while the 22 participants were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals and being present at an animal fight. More than half were from Lawrence.

Police seized several packages of spurs designed to inflict damage on other roosters, as well as more than $13,000. Animal rescue workers recovered 18 gamecocks, five of which appeared severely injured, The Sun reports. All suspects are expected to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Monday.

You can read the Lowell Sun‘s full report here.