5 charged after Surrey cockfighting investigation

Five people from the Lower Mainland have been charged after a large cockfighting ring in Surrey, B.C., was dismantled in February, an RCMP spokeswoman said.

Police tracked down and arrested three of the men on Monday and arrest warrants have been issued for the other two, Const. Annie Linteau told CBC News.

The charges came after the RCMP and the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals broke up what the animal welfare agency said was one of the largest cockfighting rings in Canada.

Police raided three properties in the Cloverdale area of Surrey and found cockfighting pits, razor-sharp spurs and 1,270 birds. Some of the birds were missing eyes, others had head wounds and infected cuts, and all had to be destroyed.

"Five individuals, all from the Lower Mainland, have been charged with keeping a cockpit in relation to search warrants back in Feb. 27," Linteau told CBC News Monday.

While charges of gambling on cockfighting and running cockpits often go hand in hand, Linteau said, the five men have only been charged for running the cockpits.

"As it is before the courts, we are not really in a position to discuss all the details," she said.

Linteau wouldn't release the names of the men being charged. The three arrested are scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing Tuesday.