Bill in Arizona Would Make Bestiality a Felony

Yes, I’m sad to report that bestiality is still such a problem that there must be laws ceated to attempt to stop it.

Here’s the impetus for this particular bill:

“The measure, SB 1160, now needs final House approval before going to the governor.
State lawmakers repealed the last law against sex with animals two decades ago as part of a rewrite of the state's criminal code. Its absence went unnoticed until earlier this year when a deputy Mesa fire chief was arrested after being accused of trying to have sex with a neighbor's sheep.”

Of course though, the sentences seems a little lenient. I’d say if one is sick enough to have sex with another species, mandatory psychological care is essential.

Article:

http://www.azstarnet.com/

Bill would make bestiality a felony

By Howard Fischer
capitol media services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.10.2006

PHOENIX -- State lawmakers are one step away from again making it a crime for people to have sex with animals.
Without dissent the Senate gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that would make bestiality a felony. Offenders could be sentenced to up to a year in state prison; forcing someone under 15 to participate in the act draws 3 1/2 years.
The measure, SB 1160, now needs final House approval before going to the governor.
State lawmakers repealed the last law against sex with animals two decades ago as part of a rewrite of the state's criminal code. Its absence went unnoticed until earlier this year when a deputy Mesa fire chief was arrested after being accused of trying to have sex with a neighbor's sheep.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he was surprised that Leroy D. Johnson could be charged only with disorderly conduct and trespass.
A memo prepared by legislative staffers concluded that a person could be charged with public sexual indecency. That, however, is only a misdemeanor with a six-month maximum jail time.
Recent reports show sheep aren't the only targets.
A missing 8-pound poodle was found this past weekend after Phoenix police said it had been sodomized. And police in Southern Arizona seized a dog near Three Points after saying it had been both physically abused and was the victim of sexual contact.
While no arrests were made in these cases, there are existing laws which cover situations where an animal is physically injured during an assault.
Aside from criminal penalties, the legislation does allow a judge to also order someone convicted of the crime to undergo psychological counseling.
But lawmakers stripped a provision which would have let a judge bar someone from living anywhere animals are present. Foes said there are times when having a pet can be beneficial. And they noted the language was so broad that it would even preclude a person from owning a bird or fish.