A man allegedly attacked a beloved swan. Who will South Carolina laws protect? [View all]

UPDATE: Wednesday, Jun 28, 2023 · 10:07:11 AM CDT · Darrell Lucus
Another reason this loophole needs to be closed: Mute swans like Swannie haven’t been on the list of federally protected migratory birds since 2005. State-level laws are needed to close gaps like this.



In any democracy, the purpose of laws should be to set forth a bare minimum standard of behavior for living in society. Regardless of political shade, it’s been well established that willfully harming animals falls below that minimum.

Unfortunately, animal cruelty laws in South Carolina may not match that fact. As a result, it’s entirely possible that a man accused of willfully ramming a golf cart into a popular mute swan at a campground in Myrtle Beach may not get real punishment since South Carolina’s animal cruelty laws don’t appear to apply to fowl.

On June 14, a man driving a golf cart at Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Lakes Family Campground started harassing Mama Swan—or “Swannie,” as she’s popularly called—before slamming his cart into her. According to local NBC affiliate WMBF-TV, the bottom-feeder did so much damage that Swannie’s injuries are particularly difficult to treat.


https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/6/27/2177609/-South-Carolina-s-animal-cruelty-laws-may-cause-person-who-harmed-beloved-swan-to-get-slap-on-wrist?pm_campaign=blog&pm_medium=rss&pm_source=main


https://wpde.com/news/local/cant-wrap-my-mind-around-it-beloved-swan-struck-by-golf-cart-critically-injured-swannie-mount-pleasant-horry-county-police-natural-resources