The Humane Society of the United States wants South Carolinians to get behind legislation that would toughen state animal cruelty laws.
This comes just one day after the organization announced South Carolina ranked 48th in its humane state rankings.
Animal cruelty is a felony in South Carolina but the law specifically exempts cockfights.
"I've seen the birds who had knives strapped to their heels and they slashed each other fighting to the death. It is gory, it is gruesome and it is not something that any conscientious person would want in there community," John Goodwin, Director of Animal Cruelty for HSUS said.
Goodwin watched as Greenville County authorities made 85 arrests for cockfighting in 2010.
Wednesday he stood before people in Horry County, wondering if letting cockfighters off with a misdemeanor is effective in stopping the practice.
"Turn off this magnet that's causing cock fighters from these other states to come here to commit this animal cruelty crime here," Goodwin said.
Goodwin also wants support for a state Senate bill to ban "bear baiting." Undercover video obtained by HSUS from South Carolina back in 2010 shows a captive bear tethered to a stake in an enclosed area where packs of dogs are released on the bear.
Greenville Senator David Thomas also plans to reintroduce a bill to outlaw private ownership of exotic animals.
An incident at a sanctuary in Ohio last year brought attention to this issue, his measure would limit the importation and sale of non- indigenous animals. That topic started a debate in Wednesday's Horry County meeting.
"The love we Americans have for wildlife is powered by our zoos both private and public and we have to make sure that exists in all the splendor," Adharsh McCabe with the T.I.G.E.R.S. Wildlife Park in Horry County said.
The park is home to several species of endangered animals. McCabe doesn't think a ban is a good idea.
"Enforce the standards that are in place because there are good standards in place, I know, I get inspected by the USDA every single year," McCabe said.
Responding to McCabe's questions about the bill and who would be exempt from the proposed bill, Goodwin said zoos should be left out.
"Most private individuals simply can't care for those animals needs but we want to make sure that its the right bill that doesn't affect the good zoo in the community," Goodwin said.
Count on SCNOW to keep you updated on these bills as they make their way through the legislature.
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