Cockfighting has a long tradition in South Carolina, its supporters argue, but the unsavory activity would surely see a welcome decline with stronger penalties endorsed by the House on Thursday. The Senate should approve the House bill, which also includes tough new rules against hog-dog fighting.

The House and Senate bill already agree on provisions that close loopholes for "hog-dogging" and put in place tougher penalties, including property seizures. The House added stronger rules against cockfighting that are needed to reduce the bloodsport's presence in South Carolina.

No one has been more of an advocate than Attorney General Henry McMaster, who urged Senate approval of the House measure. If enacted, "South Carolina will be at the forefront instead of the back in regards to preventing animal fighting and animal cruelty," his spokesman said.

While cockfighting would remain a misdemeanor for the first two offenses, the penalties should be strong enough to deter most participants. Currently, a first offense carries a maximum $100 fine and 30 days in jail. Revised penalties would be increased to $1,000 and up to one year in prison. A second offense carries a $3,000 fine and a three-year sentence, and a third offense is a felony with a $5,000 fine and a five-year maximum sentence.

Law officers regularly break up cockfighting events in South Carolina, and "hog-dogging," in which dogs fight captive boars, has become more popular here as other states have imposed tougher penalties. The state needs to sharply restrict any association it has with both bloodsports, and the House revisions would help achieve that aim.