Bestiality to be outlawed

14 March 2008

THE HAGUE – People who have sex with animals will be subject to criminal prosecution in future. Parliament has supported proposed legislation to this effect from the Labour party PvdA.

Bestiality will incur a prison sentence. Producers of animal pornography could also be fined in addition. The proposed law states that sex with animals is not permitted because it is immoral. The law is not based on protecting the animal’s welfare.

Bestiality is currently only a criminal offence if the animal can be shown to have suffered. The Animal Rights Party is not happy that the law is not aimed at protecting animal welfare and laments the fact the castration of pigs without anaesthetic in livestock farming, for instance, has still not been addressed.