COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- Owning a bird for cockfighting would be a felony that could send you to prison for six months under legislation up for debate by a House panel.
A House Judiciary subcommittee was set to take testimony Wednesday on the measure that greatly broadens who would face prison time and fines under the state's cockfighting law. However, the subcommittee didn't get to the discussion at Wednesday morning's meeting.
Fighting roosters are enmeshed in South Carolina's history. The University of South Carolina's sports teams are "Gamecocks" and a rooster with fighting metal spurs is frequently shown off.
Cockfighting has been illegal since 1917. But the contests still take place and bring arrests. Notably, the state's agriculture commissioner pleaded guilty in 2005 to extortion after admitting he took a bribe to protect a cockfighting ring.
What do you think about cockfighting penalties in South Carolina? Are they too strong, too weak, or appropriate? Leave your thoughts below in the comments section.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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