Four arrested for cock fighting

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Four men were arrested and charged for cock fighting, sheriff's deputies said.

Deputies were called to a home in the 27300 block of Royal Coach in the Peach Creek Subdivision Sunday afternoon. When deputies arrived, they saw several men scattering, jumping over the top of a privacy fence, deputies said.

One man was caught in the roadway with cock fighting equipment, deputies said. Nine men were detained before four were ultimately charged.

Marcelino Hernandez Pena, 41, Obet Ramirez Maldonado, 35, and Nicolas Rivera-Pineda, 27, face charges for participating in cock fights.

Bonifacio Sanchez Chavez, 44, is charged with possession of cockfighting equipment.

The five others were issued citations for being at the event.

The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is caring for the animals.