KITCHENER, Ont. - The owner of Pigeon King International has been charged with fraud and violations of bankruptcy laws.

Arlan Galbraith, 62, of Cochrane, Ont., was arrested Wednesday after surrendering to police in Kitchener.

Galbraith 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.

Galbraith's next court date is Jan. 25.