11 men charged after OPP break up alleged cockfighting ring

Eleven men have been arrested after police broke up an alleged cockfighting ring east of Ottawa on Saturday morning.

Shortly after 10 a.m., Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a report of illegal gaming taking place at a property on Tolmies Corners Road in the Township of North Stormont.

Once they arrived at the property, the officers "intercepted live cockfighting activities" and arrested the men, OPP said.

They also seized a number of roosters and some "equipment," said police.

The men arrested Saturday are from the townships of North Stormont, North Dundas and South Stormont in eastern Ontario, as well as from the Toronto, London and Sarnia areas.  

Two of the men are also from Montreal, according to the OPP. 

Their ages range from 44 to 87. 

All 11 men have been charged with:

• Causing damage or injury to an animal or bird by failing to provide food, water, care or shelter.
• Encouraging, aiding or assisting in fighting or baiting.

One man also faces an additional charge of keeping a cockpit, police said.

Roosters in care of OSPCA

Cockfighting is rare in eastern Ontario, said Const. Joel Doiron with the OPP's Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry detachment.

"I've been around for quite awhile and this is the first incident of its kind that I know of," Doiron said Sunday.

The seized roosters have been turned over to the Ontario SPCA, Doiron said.

OPP said the isolated building was being used as an arena for cockfights, and that it attracted men from across Ontario and Quebec who wanted to gamble.

Doiron said it's not known how long the shed had been used to stage the fights.

The 11 arrested men were all released and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall, Ont., on June 21.