Gov. Kevin Stitt's office is speaking out for the first time after a group blasted him, accusing the governor of supporting cockfighting.Cockfighting is a felony in Oklahoma. What's not is the raising and exporting of gamefowl bred to fight.A private group called the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission argues it represents legal and legitimate operations.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here."Oklahomans like yourself remain dedicated to the competition and comradery that runs deep in our communities," Stitt said in a video he recorded for the Gamefowl Commission.The video was played at a Gamefowl Commission convention held over the weekend in McAlester."The Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission has come to play a big role in preserving this heritage," Stitt said.The video has sparked outrage among animal welfare activists."I have never seen a governor of a state associated himself or herself with the cockfighting community," Wayne Pacelle, with the group Animal Wellness Action, said.Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who advocates against animal abuse, argues that the Gamefowl Commission is nothing more than a front for cockfighters."It's a group of law violators who have gotten together to raise money to try to get the penalties down for the law violations they are actively engaged in.">> Download the KOCO 5 AppThe commission's president rejects that characterization."We're gamefowl fighters, and I think they're trying to describe us like that so they can raise money from their base," Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission President Anthony DeVore said. The group supports making cockfighting a misdemeanor instead of a felony but argues it also wants to see repeat offenders face the consequences."And our bill makes it a felony on the third third time. First two times you're convicted, it's a misdemeanor," Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission Vice President Blake Pearce said.When asked why Stitt recorded the video, a spokesperson told KOCO 5 that the governor supports several agriculture groups throughout the state, adding that the raising of gamefowl is completely legal and that Stitt is not in favor of animal cruelty.Top Headlines After death of 3 cows, the CDC warns of an invasive tick species spreading across the US Oklahoma Starbucks baristas join thousands of workers in nationwide strike Superintendent Ryan Walters describes latest Oklahoma schools report card as 'unacceptable' Winter Outlook: What to expect in Oklahoma during 2023-24 season Enid police provide details after 2 caregivers arrested, one on the run