Charges have been laid in an alleged $1-million fraud scheme that involved selling pigeons to farmers for breeding.Charges have been laid in an alleged $1-million fraud scheme that involved selling pigeons to farmers for breeding. (Martin Meissner/Associated Press)

The Ontario man accused in an alleged $1-million pigeon breeding scheme has been charged with fraud and violations of bankruptcy laws.

Arlan Galbraith, the 62-year-old owner of Pigeon King International, was arrested Wednesday after surrendering to police in Kitchener.

Galbraith, from Cochrane, Ont., is charged with one count of fraud over $5,000 and four counts under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Police allege Galbraith defrauded people in Canada and the United States out of a total of $1 million between 2004 and 2008.

It's estimated about 1,000 people invested a total of $20 million in the purchase of pigeons while allegedly being promised guaranteed financial returns.

The pigeons were to be sold in pairs to farmers for breeding, part of a plan to ultimately produce pigeon meat for the consumer market.

Galbraith's next court date is Jan. 25.