State Police Trooper Sergio Figueiredo had stopped a car early Sunday morning for a traffic violation when he heard a familiar noise coming from the backseat.
With chickens at his own home, Figueiredo knew the unmistakable noise of a rooster’s cackle. When he realized the noises were coming from inside laundry sacks and plastic garbage bags underneath the car’s seats, he radioed for backup and removed four Lawrence men from the car, according to State Police.
Figueiredo found three roosters inside the gray 2003 Honda Accord on Interstate 84 in Sturbridge, authorities said.
Rescuers found the birds in “poor condition’’ with no feathers below their necks and chest areas, and they were covered in gouges on their breasts, legs, and heads, according to police.
Inside the car, State Police allegedly found several rolls of medical tape, nail files, a block of wax, a long sharp acrylic talon, pictures of a rooster, and a container of styptic powder which is used to stop bleeding.
Cockfighters often shave their birds for fights, said State Police spokesman David Procopio. Talons and spurs are attached to the birds’ feet to “inflict more damage.’’
“It’s despicable, and hopefully the judicial proceedings will result in punishment appropriately severe for a crime that inflicts such pain and suffering on animals helplessly forced into a horrible way of life,’’ Procopio said.
The car had been pulled over at about 1:45 a.m. for failing to move over for an ambulance with lights and sirens on, State Police said. State Police believe the men had been participating in a cockfight in New Jersey.
The four men, Winton Hernandez, 26, Cesareo Ruiz, 54, William Morales, 22, and Erick Lora-Lopez, 23, were charged with animal cruelty, animal fight, keeping or promoting, and conspiracy. Hernandez, the driver, was also charged with obstructing an emergency vehicle. All four have been released on $500 bail each.
The birds were taken to the Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University in North Grafton for treatment.
Felicia Gans can be reached at felicia.gans@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @FeliciaGans.
