Legal situationZoophilia: Sexual acts with animals are punishable by law
When people perform sexual acts on animals, this is known as zoophilia or bestiality. This form of abuse causes enormous animal suffering and is prohibited. The protection of animal welfare also includes protection from forced sexual assault. In most cases, pets or farm animals are affected. Here you can find out what zoophilia means and how it can be punished.
What is zoophilia?
The term zoophilia, also known as bestiality in common parlance, covers all sexually motivated acts performed by a human on a living animal. The practices include anal and oral sex, the insertion of objects into the genitals and even the killing of the animal. People who describe themselves as "zoophiles" sometimes define this more broadly as any form of partner relationship with an animal. This definition is not sufficiently differentiated from other forms of pet ownership and should therefore be rejected. The victims of this sexual abuse are mostly dogs, cats, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, cows and chickens. Small animals in particular are seriously injured during penetration and die in agony.
How is zoophilia punished?
With the amendment to the Animal Welfare Act in 2013, zoophilia was included in the list of prohibited acts in Section 3, sentence 1, number 13. This addition was important because the offense of punishable cruelty to animals under Section 17 of the Animal Welfare Act is only fulfilled if significant and prolonged or repeated pain and suffering occurs as a result of sexual acts - unfortunately, this is often difficult to prove. As a result of the change in the law, it is now generally prohibited to abuse animals for sexual acts or to make them available for sexual acts by third parties and thus force them to behave in a manner that is contrary to their species. It is no longer necessary to prove that the animals were subjected to pain or suffering. A violation of the ban constitutes an administrative offense that can be punished with a fine of up to 25,000 euros. The distribution of animal pornographic media, on the other hand, is considered a criminal offense and is punishable by a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine.
This is what the German Animal Welfare Federation demands
Sexual acts against an animal are often preceded by physical or psychological abuse. This behavior can be a criminal offense of cruelty to animals, but it is difficult for the investigating authorities to prove. Psychological damage and behavioral abnormalities can rarely necessarily be linked to sexual abuse. The German Animal Welfare Federation therefore demands that
- Sexual acts against animals must be considered a criminal offense without exception
- Investigation of organized crime to prevent or uncover zoophilia
