Legality of bestiality by country or territory

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Zoophilia and the law looks at the laws governing humans performing sex acts on animals. Laws against humans performing sex acts on animals, where they exist, are concerned with the actual act, which it commonly refers to as bestiality, rather than the sexual attraction to animals. For this reason, prohibitions of zoophilic pornography is more varied; they may be unlawful if an actual sex act with an animal is involved, but the status is not clear cut if there is a mere representation, such as a painting or cartoon. In that case, normal obscenity laws will normally apply. All zoophilic imagery is widely regarded as pornography.

Objectives

Laws on zoophilic activity tend to be shaped by animal welfare concerns, moral views, and cultural beliefs. In many cultures, humans are viewed as different from other animals and having sex with animals is seen as defilement (see speciesism).[1]

The practice of humans having sex with animals sometimes involves animal cruelty or animal abuse, a practice sometimes called zoosadism. However, not all sexual activity with animals involves cruelty.

Recent legislation

On March 24, 2014, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli introduced A3012, a bill that if enacted would criminalize bestiality in New Jersey, into the Assembly Judiciary Committee. On June 12, 2014, the Assembly Judiciary Committee passed, by a 6-0 vote, in favor of moving out of the committee A3012, a bill that if enacted would criminalize bestiality in New Jersey. On June 26, 2014, the New Jersey General Assembly passed, by a 76-0 vote, in favor of A3012. Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi initially casted a vote against it, drawing laughs from her colleagues. She ultimately changed her vote to yes. On July 10, 2014, State Senator Christopher Bateman introduced S2296, an identical bill to A3012, in the Senate Judiciary Committee. As of September 2014, the S2296 has yet to move out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the New Jersey State Senate has yet to pass A3012. Both bills have until January 13, 2015, to be enacted into law before the state legislative session ends.[2][3][4]

On January 14, 2014, State Senator Tom Whatley introduced SB151, a bill that if enacted would criminalize bestiality in Alabama, into the Senate committee on Judiciary. On January 30, 2014, the Alabama State Senate passed, by a 20-1 vote, in favor of SB151. State Senator Henry Sanders casted a vote against SB151, but has since said he didn't mean to. On March 19, 2014, the Alabama House of Representatives passed, by a 102-0 vote, in favor of SB151. On April, 28, 2014, the Alabama state legislature ended it's session before Governor Robert J. Bentley could sign into law or veto SB151.[5][6][7]

Background

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International differences

Some jurisdictions list laws very clearly, such as England and Wales, which specifically prohibits penetration of a human being by the penis of an animal, and penetration of an animal by a human's penis.[8]

By contrast, many countries and US states are less precise about the scope of law in that they outlaw sex with animals, without defining what constitutes "sex".[citation needed]

Even if bestiality is not explicitly prohibited, there are often many other laws which can be used to effectively prosecute cases. For example, most countries have animal cruelty laws, and a prosecutor will argue that all zoophilia activity is animal abuse.[9] In some U.S. states, a person who engages in bestiality can be charged with animal cruelty.[10]

Prohibitions without specific bestiality statutes

Some countries have a range laws on their books. Sometimes sodomy laws or "crime against nature" laws are used to prosecute people who have sex with animals.

In the case of Kenneth Pinyan, who died from injuries sustained from receiving anal sex from a horse, local law enforcement found that there were no laws that allowed them to prosecute his friend, who had filmed the event and also allowed himself to be sodomized by the horse. The friend was prosecuted for trespassing. That case prompted the Washington State legislature to draw up legislation outlawing sex with animals.[11]

In a 2005 Florida case, a man who had sex with his dog was charged with disorderly conduct, since the state had no anti-bestiality laws on the books at the time.[12] On October 1, 2011 the state of Florida State Law 828.126, F.S went into effect, banning sex with animals.[13]

Laws against zoophilia

Aggrawal has discussed extensively on laws against zoophilia.[14] It is permitted in a few countries, such as Denmark, although ordinary animal treatment laws apply.

There are also commonly laws against forcing another person to engage in zoophilia activity, especially minors (usually considered equivalent to rape), and laws related to exposing others (either non-consensually or minors) to the sight of a sexual act. In some jurisdictions, laws against zoophilia conduct also include provisions for seizure of animals where convicted.

Exceptions

See also: Artificial insemination § In livestock and pets, Semen collection § By species, and Horse sheath cleaning

Sexual handling of an animal for the purposes of veterinary practice, or animal husbandry (breeding), is normally exempted where such laws exist. In public discussion for the recently passed Oregon law, however, one animal shelter's spokesperson wanted the husbandry exemption kept out, as he was concerned that someone might use these "accepted farming practices" as a legal loophole to then have (legal) sexual contact with an animal only for personal enjoyment. One of the legislators responded by asking if they were trying to outlaw an act (of sexual contact), or a state of mind. The veterinary and husbandry exemption was left out of Oregon's law in the final, enacted version.

History of the legality of zoophilia

Main article: History of zoophilia

Zoophilic pornography

Main article: Animal pornography

The legality of pornography has three components: legality of production, legality of sale and transportation, and legality of ownership. In general, animal pornography is legal to produce where both zoophilic activity and the creation of pornography in general are legal. Laws concerning sale, transmission and ownership vary more widely.

Erotic art, such as animal pornography in cartoons and the like, which does not require the recording of an actual sexual act, are not usually considered sex with animals by the law, and so their status depends upon more general laws such as legal limits upon obscenity or pornography alone, and the thin line between erotic art and pornography.

National laws

Country or territory Zoosexual activity Sale and distribution of zoophilic pornography Ownership of zoophilic pornography
Australia Australia No Illegal
(Legality varies by state/territory)[15] 		Yes Yes
Belgium Belgium No Illegal since 2007
(penalty: up to 6 months in prison and a fine of 1.000 € maximum)[16]
Brazil Brazil Yes Legal[17]Template:Qn[18]Template:Qn since 1830 (via repeal of sodomy laws) Yes Legal, never criminalized[18][19] Yes Legal, never criminalized
Cambodia Cambodia Yes Legal[1]
Canada Canada No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of 10 years in prison)[20]
Denmark Denmark Yes Legal[21]
Ecuador Ecuador No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of 8 years in prison)[22]
Ethiopia Ethiopia No Illegal
(Penalty: Imprisonment (no length given)[23]
Finland Finland Yes Legal since 1971[24] No Illegal
(Penalty:)[25]
France France No Illegal since 2004
(Penalty: Maximum of 2 years in prison and €30,000 fine)[26]
Germany Germany No Illegal since 2013
(penalty: fine of 25.000 € maximum)[27]
Ghana Ghana No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of 3 years in prison)[28]
Hong Kong Hong Kong No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of 10 years in prison and $50,000 fine)[29]
Hungary Hungary Yes Legal[30]
Republic of Ireland Ireland No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of life in prison)[31]
India India No Illegal
(Penalty:)[32]
Iran Iran No Illegal
(Penalty: First three convictions are punished by ta'zir as determined by a judge
Fourth offense is the death penalty)[33]
Malaysia Malaysia No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of 20 years in prison, fines, and whipping)[34]
Mexico Mexico Yes Legal
Namibia Namibia No Illegal
(Penalty:)[35]
Netherlands Netherlands No Illegal since 2010
(Penalty: Maximum of 1 year in prison and €19,500 fine)[36] 		No Illegal since 2010
(Penalty: Maximum imprisonment 6 months or a fine of the third category (€7,800))[37] 		No Illegal since 2010
(Penalty: Maximum imprisonment 6 months or a fine of the third category (€7,800))
New Zealand New Zealand No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of 7 years in prison
Maximum of 3 years in prison)[38][39] 		No Illegal
(Penalty:) 		No Illegal
(Penalty:)
Norway Norway No Illegal since 2008[40]
Philippines Philippines Yes Legal[41]Template:Verify credibility
Poland Poland No Illegal since 1997. Defined as a type of animal abuse.
(Penalty: Maximum 3 years in prison, donation to animal welfare charity and prohibition of owning an animal for up to 10 years. If done in order to distribute or sell the penalty is increased to a minimum of 6 months and maximum of 8 years in prison)[42] 		No Illegal
(Penalty: minimum of 6 months and maximum 8 years in prison)[43] 		Yes Legal (as long as it is not owned with intention of publicizing, sharing or selling)
Portugal Portugal No Illegal[44]
Romania Romania Yes Legal[45] No Illegal
(Penalty:)[46]
Singapore Singapore No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of 2 years in prison and fine)[47]
South Africa South Africa No Illegal
(Penalty: determined by judge)[48] 		No Illegal
(Penalty: maximum 5 years in prison and R200,000 fine)[49]
Sweden Sweden No Illegal since 2014
(Penalty : fine, prison up to 2 years, or both)[50]
Switzerland Switzerland No Illegal
(Penalty:)[51] 		No Illegal
(Penalty:)[52] 		No Illegal
(Penalty:)
Thailand Thailand Yes Legal[53] No law ever mention about zoophilia. No Zoophilic pornography falls within the definition of pornography. Distribution of any pornography is illegal. Yes
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago No Illegal
(Penalty:)[54]
United Kingdom United Kingdom No Illegal since 1290
(Penalty: Maximum of 2 years in prison for conviction on indictment
Maximum of 6 months in prison and a fine for summary conviction) Intercourse with an animal (see Sexual Offences Act 2003[8]) 		No Illegal since 2008
(Penalty:)[55] (see Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008) 		No Illegal since 2008
(Penalty:) (see Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008)
United States United States
Main article: Zoophilia and the law in the United States
 No / Yes Varies by state, territory, or district. No / Yes Varies by state, territory, or district. No / Yes Varies by state, territory, or district.
Zambia Zambia No Illegal
(Penalty: Maximum of 5 years in prison)[56]

History

Main article: History of zoophilia

Mentions in the press

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  • "Freddie the Dolphin" (1991, UK) - man accused of masturbating a well known tame dolphin at sea. Charged with a "lewd act". Acquitted. Expert witnesses testified male dolphins use their erections not just sexually, but socially as well, and no sexual inference could be drawn. Judge summing up said of the £30,000 trial cost, "this has been the most expensive lesson in dolphin sociology that he has ever heard of".[57]
  • Kenneth Pinyan (2005, USA) - man died following anal penetration by a stallion, which was filmed by his friend. The death led to rapid introduction of laws in Washington state against sex with animals.[58]
  • Sudan (February 2006) - man caught having sex with a neighbour's goat, is ordered by the council of elders to pay the neighbour a dowry of 15,000 Sudanese dinars ($50) and marry the animal.[59]
  • Cambodia (2005) - man caught having a "passionate embrace" in bed with dog, by wife, confessed he loved the dog more and they separated. Cambodian police commented: "As police, we could only solve the problem of his wife then wanting a divorce. We cannot solve the problem of his relationship with his dog, because under Cambodian law it is not strictly illegal... It is amazing, but this husband is not crazy. It seems he is a passionate human being who looked at a dog, and the more he looked, the more passionate he became."[1]
  • Wisconsin, USA (2007) - Bryan James Hathaway was convicted for having sex with a dead deer. The court case raised some interesting legal issues because the statute prohibits sex with animals, but not carcasses. The defence raised the issue that if a dead animal was an animal, at what point would it cease to be an animal.[60]
  • Kansas, USA (2012) - Joshua Coman was convicted in Kansas of criminal sodomy (a misdemeanor), but the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that he did not have to register as a sex offender.[61][62]
  • Vancouver, Canada (2012) - Brian Cutteridge, bestiality proponent, was arrested after the SPCA claims to have a video of him engaging in sex with one of his dogs.[63]
  • Arizona, USA (2012) - Sarah Dae Walker and her husband pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bestiality in a case where Craigslist was used.[64]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Hubby does it doggy style". Archived from the original on 3 February 2005.
  2. ↑ A3012 Criminalizes bestiality.
  3. ↑ New Jersey
  4. ↑ Bill banning bestiality passes full Assembly
  5. ↑ Alabama Senate Bill 151
  6. ↑ Alabama
  7. ↑ Editorial: It needs to be a crime — State Legislature is right to address animal cruelty
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 69". HM Government. 2003. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  9. ↑ The argument that "all sexual activity with animals is automatically abuse" was made for example, in 1) the 2004 case of State vs. Mitchell (Florida), 2) the 2004 Pony case in Utrecht, Holland (cited below), and 3) the 2006 Washington state law which asserts as its foundational premise that "animal cruelty in the first degree is committed when a person knowingly engages in sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal." SB-6417 2006
  10. ↑ "Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Animals". WBNS-10TV. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "The Animal In You". The Stranger. February–March 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2006.
  12. ↑ "Man charged with having intercourse with his Guide Dog". Archived from the original on 21 May 2008.
  13. ↑ "Section 828.126, Florida Statutes". The Florida Senate. 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  14. ↑ Aggrawal, Anil (2009). Forensic and Medico-legal Aspects of Sexual Crimes and Unusual Sexual Practices. Boca Raton: CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4200-4308-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ↑ Ref: Halsbury's Laws of Australia #9 page 247662: Criminal offence: New South Wales (Crimes Act 1900 s79, not more than 14 years imprisonment), Northern Territory (Criminal Code s138, not more than 3 years imprisonment), Queensland (Criminal Code s211: "carnal knowledge of an animal", not more than 7 years imprisonment), South Australia (Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 s69, "buggery with an animal", not more than 10 years imprisonment), Tasmania (Criminal Code s122(b), not more than 21 years imprisonment), Victoria (Crimes Act 1958 s59, not more than 5 years imprisonment), Western Australia (Criminal Code s181: "carnal knowledge of an animal", not more than 7 years imprisonment), Australian Capital Territory (Crimes Act 1900, s63A inserted in 2011, "Bestiality", not more than 10 years imprisonment).
  16. ↑ "Lois, Decrets, Ordonnances Et Reglements / Wetten, Decreten, Ordonnanties En Verordeningen". Moniteur Belge / Belgisch Staatsblad: 38259-38260. 13 July 2007. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help) Template:Fr icon/Template:Nl icon
  17. ↑ Revista Época – Sex with animals: why do pretend that it does not exist? Template:Pt icon
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Ecce Bestia: Vice with Animals Template:Pt icon
  19. ↑ Sex with animals as an extreme practice in the 'bizarre porn' genre in Brazil Template:Pt icon
  20. ↑ "Criminal Code, Section 160". Canadian Dept. of Justice. 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  21. ↑ [1]
  22. ↑ Ecuador Penal Code - Art. 517
  23. ↑ Criminal Code of Ethiopia 2004 - Article 633.- Sexual Intercourse with an Animal.
  24. ↑ Kilpinen, Pekka (2001). "Järjettömäin luondocappalden canssa". University of Helsinki. Retrieved 13 July 2014. Template:Fi icon
  25. ↑ 18 § (9.7.2004/650) Sukupuolisiveellisyyttä loukkaavan kuvan levittäminen
  26. ↑ [French Penal Code - Chapter one: Serious abuse or acts of cruelty animals. - Article 521-1]
  27. ↑ Cottrell, Chris (1 February 2013). "German Legislators Vote to Outlaw Bestiality". The New York Times. New York: NYTC. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  28. ↑ Section 104-Unnatural Carnal Knowledge
  29. ↑ Bestiality
  30. ↑ [2]
  31. ↑ [30.61] Sodomy and bestiality s. 61
  32. ↑ Section 377. Unnatural offences.
  33. ↑ e. Vaty-e heyvanat va Mayet-e-insan (bestiality and necrophilia), four offenses
  34. ↑ Buggery with an animal - 377.
  35. ↑ Namibia: Rehoboth Man Arrested for Bestiality
  36. ↑ Article 254
  37. ↑ "wetten.nl - Wet- en regelgeving - Wetboek van Strafrecht - BWBR0001854" (in Nederlands). Wetten.overheid.nl. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  38. ↑ Crimes Act 1961 - 143 - Bestiality
  39. ↑ Crimes Act 1961 - 144 - Indecency with animal
  40. ↑ "New Animal Welfare Act". regjeringen.no. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  41. ↑ catholic filipino charged for raping dog he also loves pigs too
  42. ↑ "Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych". Isap.sejm.gov.pl. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  43. ↑ Polish Penal Code, Article 202, Section 3.
  44. ↑ History of Zoophilia and The Law
  45. ↑ Bestiality and Zoophilia: Sexual Relations with Animals
  46. ↑ "Legea privind prevenirea si combaterea pornografiei", Nr. 196/2003, Monitorul Oficial al României, Partea I,. nr. 342 din 20 mai 2003
  47. ↑ “Sexual penetration with living animal 377B.
  48. ↑ Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007, s. 13.
  49. ↑ Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996 s. 24A(2) read with s. 18(3)(b)(ii).
  50. ↑ Sweden Joins An Increasing Number Of European Countries That Ban Bestiality
  51. ↑ SR 455.1 Tierschutzverordnung Art. 16 j.
  52. ↑ See FJ 2000 p. 2981.
  53. ↑ May 2004 Update from the Land of Randy Pandas
  54. ↑ Mayaro labourer on bestiality charge
  55. ↑ Extreme porn law used on beastly Chinese DVD pirates
  56. ↑ Zambian Penal code Cap 87 Section 115; Unnatural Offences
  57. ↑ "The Flummery Digest". Archived from the original on 18 November 2006.
  58. ↑ Wisch, Rebecca F. (2013). "Table of State Animal Sexual Assault Laws". Michigan State University College of Law. Retrieved 4 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  59. ↑ "Africa | Sudan man forced to 'marry' goat". BBC News. 24 February 2006. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  60. ↑ Haines, Lester (22 March 2007). "Sex with dead deer is illegal, US man finds". The Register.
  61. ↑ Rabiner, Stephanie (6 April 2012). "Dog Molester Won't Have to Register as Sex Offender - Legally Weird". Blogs.findlaw.com. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  62. ↑ "100494 - State v. Coman - Greene - Kansas Court of Appeals". Kscourts.org. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  63. ↑ "Vancouver man faces bestiality charge". CBC News. 26 February 2012.
  64. ↑ "Pair plead guilty in Craigslist bestiality case". CBS 5. 28 June 2012.

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