Pressure groups argued that a lack of criminal penalties against bestiality has led to a surge in abuses including ‘erotic zoos’ and ‘animal brothels’ where animals from llamas to goats are ‘pimped out’, reports the Digital Journal.
The government is now preparing amendments to the country’s Animal Welfare Act to make bestiality -- sometimes called ‘animal rape’ -- punishable by a fine of up to €25,000.
Bestiality is currently legal in Germany, and has been since 1969, the same year that laws banning homosexuality were overturned. Human-animal sex is only a crime if the animal is severely injured.
Michael Kiok, chairman of the pressure group Zoophile Engagement for Tolerance and Information (Zeta) told the UK’s Guardian newspaper: ‘We are going to take legal action to fight this.’
Mr Kiok, who is in what he describes as a ‘relationship’ with his Alsatian, added: ‘Central to the beliefs of zoophiles is that we don't do anything that the animal doesn't want. We do not treat them cruelly. An animal is quite capable of showing precisely what it wants and does not want. When I look at my dog I know immediately what it wants. Animals are much easier to understand than women.’
Despite Mr Kiok’s serious approach to canine relations, UK-based satirical web site News Thump couldn’t resist picking up on the story, running the headline: ‘Animal kingdom to legislate against sex with Germans’.
By the throat
Across the border in Poland, a court has ruled that the ritual slaughter of animals by religious groups -- including Jews and Muslims -- violates the country's constitution and animal protection laws.
US broadcaster Fox News reports that the ruling flies in the face of EU rules allowing the practice on the grounds of religious freedom. But Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal said regulations allowing for animals to have their throats cut and then bleed to death without previously being stunned are against domestic law.
The ruling sets the stage for further discussions, as an EU law goes into effect on 1 January allowing the practice and setting common standards among member states.
Mounting a manatee
Elsewhere, a Florida woman was arrested after being photographed riding a manatee.
According to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Florida's Manatee Sanctuary Act protects the endangered sea mammals, saying ‘it is unlawful for any person at any time, by any means, or in any manner intentionally or negligently to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb or attempt to molest, harass, or disturb any manatee’.
Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez, 53, admitted touching the endangered creature, the local sheriff's office said. Ms Gutierrez then told deputies she was new to the area at the time and didn't know it was illegal to touch a manatee. The manatee was not hurt.
The maximum penalty is a $500 fine and six months in jail. Ms Gutierrez was released on $1,500 bail.
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