South Carolina Governor Signs Bill Outlawing Hog Dog Fighting and Strengthening Penalties for Cockfighting

June 13, 2006

WASHINGTON - The Humane Society of the United States today thanked South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford for signing a bill that makes it illegal to fight trained attack dogs with trapped feral pigs, a "blood sport" known as hog-dog fighting. In addition, the bill provides for increased fines for cockfighting.  The HSUS also singled out Senator Larry Grooms and Attorney General Henry McMaster for their leadership on the issue.

South Carolina becomes the fourth state to outlaw hog-dog fighting in the last two years. Louisiana banned the practice in 2004; Mississippi and Alabama outlawed it earlier this year. Similar legislation failed this year in Tennessee.

"We thank Governor Mark Sanford for signing a bill to halt this appalling and barbaric form of animal fighting," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS.  "We also wish to thank Senator Larry Grooms and Attorney General Henry McMaster for their leadership on this important legislation and for being  champions against the cruelties of animal fighting."

Hog-dog fighting in South Carolina was exposed in December of 2004 when the leader of a national hog dog fighting organization, Art Parker, and several others were arrested in Chester, South Carolina for organizing and participating in hog dog fighting.  Ninety-five dogs and 15 hogs, many of them mutilated from fighting, were seized from Parker's property in Chester as part of a multi-state raid. Parker was eventually acquitted of the charges brought against him, but later arrested in Florida for similar activities.

Legislation signed into law today by Governor Sanford also provides increased penalties for cockfighting. While cockfighting remains a misdemeanor in South Carolina, the possible penalty for cockfighting activities has been raised from a $100 fine and up to 30 days in prison to a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison.  Second and subsequent offenses can now bring up to a $3,000 fine and three years in prison.  Overall, 48 states outlaw cockfighting and 32 make it a felony crime.  

The newly-enacted legislation further provides for the forfeiture of property that was purchased from the profits of animals fighting, including dog fighting and cockfighting.

"We applaud the South Carolina legislature for providing a greater economic disincentive for the cruel business of animal fighting.  But until the South Carolina legislature makes cockfighting a felony, as it is in neighboring North Carolina and Georgia, cockfighters will continue to flout the law and treat the modest penalties for illegal cockfighting to be a cost of doing business," said Pacelle.

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The Humane Society of the United States represents more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, equine protection and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the Web at www.hsus.org.