UQ Vice Chancellor Peter Høj has bowed to calls by animal rights groups to resign this morning after police raids on the Chancellory Building unveiled evidence of a massive, girthy cockfighting operation being run out of UQ’s administration buildings.

The resignation marks an inglorious end to his six year tenure as leader of one of Australia’s most prestigious G08 universities.

The raids, which led to the arrests of some 187 UQ staff members and the seizure of hundreds of game cocks specifically bred for strength and stamina in order to fight to the death for sport, saw Mr Høj charged under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.

The act of cockfighting is illegal in Queensland as is the possession, training and breeding of cocks for fighting. The ancient, cruel blood sport is known to inflict serious pain and suffering on the animals involved.

A member of the Queensland Police Force with first hand knowledge of the investigation was able to reveal to us that the raids also turned up dozens of cannabis plants and more than three million euros in cash. Police believe the cockfighting syndicate was part of an even larger ring with ties to the Japanese Yakuza and the South East Asian underworld.

At press time, RSPCA Qld Chief Inspector Daniel Young was urging anyone with further information to come forward.

Mr Høj’s lawyers have thus far declined to speak to the media.

More to come.